Biochar
OLIN Labs’ Biochar research addresses two major concerns: managing an excess of urban forestry wood waste and increasing the sustainability of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) soils. Often seen as an inert waste product, urban forestry wood waste presents an environmental and financial burden, woody waste is commonly either incinerated, releasing greenhouse gases, or left to decay, emitting methane and trace gases, both of which are environmentally harmful and impose financial burdens on cities through tipping fees and waste management costs. Redirecting wood waste into municipal-scale biochar production creates a circular economy for Philadelphia, and other cities, by converting a waste stream into a high value product (biochar) for use in public works projects, thereby reducing landfill costs, enhancing soil health, mitigating climate change, and creating a new revenue source.
As a horticultural soil amendment, biochar sequesters carbon in a stable form, enhances plant growth, and reduces fertilizer and irrigation needs. Successful completion of this project will yield (1) a biochar manufacturer specification that balances carbon sequestration with soil enhancement; (2) a trial design specification for biochar-amended GSI soil; (3) a techno-economic assessment (TEA); (4) a technical planning package for municipal-scale biochar-production. This project will create a replicable model for market development and standards implementation supported by lab-based analysis, economic modeling, and open-source specifications.
For this project, OLIN has partnered with USDA Agricultural Research Service Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC). Other partners include Charles Hegberg and Craul Land Scientists with advisory support from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, the Philadelphia Water Department, and the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability. This project is funded through the USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program.
To date, OLIN and ERRC have successfully created a biochar prototype using Philadelphia wood waste sourced from the Organic Recycling Center. Analysis has shown that the physical and chemical properties of the biochar prototype is comparable to market-available biochar. Currently, OLIN and ERRC are running a 10-week greenhouse trial to assess the horticultural potential of the biochar prototype.
This initiative builds on OLIN's Circular Soil Initiative which aims to reduce the environmental footprint of engineered soils by developing soils that include recycled and circular materials.
