Biochar for a greener, ‘bush-free’ Namibia

A company converting bush biomass into biochar, where after the biochar is given back to farmers to work into their soil, is earning “green money” while bettering Namibian soils and fighting bush encroachment at the same time.

On 16 and 17 September PyroNam Namibia unveiled its first biochar plant during two exclusive open days for farmers at farm Waltershagen, near Otjiwarongo. Callie Steenkamp, the plant’s project manager, explained that more plants are being developed to be launched soon.

He said that carbon credits are earned by these plants once the carbon is bound back into the soil, whilst using biochar as a soil amendment and carbon removal agent. These carbon credits or certificates are then bought by big companies’ overseas, like for example Lufthansa, who are required to fulfill their responsibilities towards the environment.

PyroNam takes a novel approach to produce biochar by converting invader bush from local farmers into this carbon-rich, porous material using low-tech pyrolysis machines. At the same time farmers can also earn an income by delivering bush to the plant or when by-products, such as tar, are also produced and sold.

Steenkamp explained that a single plant needs about 10 000 ha with biomass to “live from” on a sustainable basis – land which is rented from farmers – whilst more than one farmer can deliver to the plant.

A plant can produce about 1 000 ton biochar per year and will need about 3 000 ton dry bush biomass. Each plant operates 24/7, in three shifts for 330 days per year, employing 16 workers. Every plant removes about 2 500 ton carbon dioxide from the air yearly.

PyroNam Namibia stands proudly as the first biochar producer in Africa to obtain certification from The European Biochar Certificate (EBC) board and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). These plants also produces almost zero waste and by-products like the gasses and smoke are collected to produce tar and wood vinegar, for example.

PyroNam hopes to establish 1 000 plants over the next 11 years, creating about 16 000 job opportunities. Up to 50% of Namibia’s total CO2 emissions can be neutralized in this way. This will enable Namibia to become the world’s leading carbon-negative nation.

When integrated into the soil, biochar enhances fertility and overall health, leading to improved water retention, increased nutrient absorption, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

PyroNam is the Namibian subsidiary of the German PyroCCS GmbH, founded by Carlos Arrufat and Timo Herbrand to promote biochar as a global strategy.