Features Podcast
The CFI Podcast: Andrew White on the potential of biochar

For the third episode of The CFI Podcast, we spoke with Andrew White, CEO of CHAR Technologies, a cleantech company that produces biochar products, about the potential biochar presents for the forest industry. Biochar is a high-energy carbon product made through the heating of organic materials without oxygen. It can be made from sawdust, chips, pellets, sawmill residuals, agricultural residues and more.

“At a high level, this new market presents another opportunity to add value to forestry materials,” Andrew told me in our conversation. “As the biocarbon markets grow and our demand for wood or other types of carbon and lignin containing materials grow, it’s another outlet for those forestry materials.”

It can also help the forest industry combat the negative public perception that forestry is not sustainable.

“All of these biocarbons and biochar products inherently are not only using a sustainable resource in forestry – they’re offsetting some kind of either coal-based or petrochemical-based product. There’s really two benefits there, and I think coupling that with what is already a good story about sustainably managed forests only helps the cause,” he said.

Andrew White, CEO of CHAR Technologies, at the company’s London, Ont. demonstration plant.

In this episode, you will find out more about how biochar is made, the different types of products that can be produced, the opportunities it presents the forest sector, and Andrew’s thoughts about the future of this developing market.

Listen to the SoundCloud link below for the full conversation or find us on iTunes under Annex Business Media: Podcasts.

You can also stream the episode at annexbusinessmedia.com/podcasts.

Have an idea for a podcast episode? Email Ellen Cools at ecools@annexbusinessmedia.com

Music: www.purple-planet.com