Pure biochar from cocoa shells

Biochar from cocoa shells - a sustainable product created by pyrolyzing cocoa shells. These shells are a byproduct of the cocoa industry and are usually discarded during the production of cocoa and chocolate. By converting them into biochar, this waste product gains new value.

Biochar is an excellent soil improver with many positive properties that promote plant growth and soil quality. It works in various ways:

Increased water retention
Biochar has a porous structure that allows the soil to retain water better. This is particularly helpful in dry regions or during periods of drought, as plants are supplied with water for longer.

Nutrient storage
Due to its many pores, biochar can absorb nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and gradually release them to plants. This prevents nutrients from being leached out, and the soil remains fertile in the long term.

Improvement of soil structure
Biochar loosens the soil and improves aeration. This promotes root growth and the activity of soil organisms, which further improve the soil.

Promotion of soil life
Microorganisms, such as beneficial bacteria and fungi, find an ideal habitat in the pores of biochar. These microorganisms are important for soil fertility as they decompose organic matter and make nutrients available to plants.

Long-term carbon sequestration
Since biochar is very stable, the carbon bound in the charcoal remains in the soil for long periods. This helps to sequester CO₂ from the atmosphere, thus contributing to climate protection.

Improvement of pH value
In acidic soils, biochar can increase the pH value and thus make the soil more neutral, which is better for many plant species.

Application:
Biochar is often mixed with compost or organic material and then incorporated into the soil. This ensures that the charcoal is optimally integrated into the soil and can unfold its effect.

Overall, biochar helps to make the soil more fertile, nutrient-rich, and resilient, which can improve yields in horticulture or agriculture in the long term.

Biochar acts like a sponge, storing water and nutrients. It can hold 2.5 times its own weight in liquid and nutrients. In addition, nitrate leaching is reduced by an average of 40% due to these storage properties.

• Improved utilization of introduced feed with qualitatively and quantitatively better output
• Fewer passes/ha for tillage
• Reduced use of industrial fertilizers
• Reduced use of pesticides due to higher microbial activity and better immune response of crops
• Increased formation of organic humus
• Farmyard manure becomes more efficient
• Prevention of new resistances
• Soils and crops become more stress-resistant
• Securing and increasing agricultural production in the face of climate damage (e.g., reduction of drought stress)
• Reduction of nitrate and phosphorus leaching into groundwater
• More positive climate balance of agricultural production

Due to the negatively charged surfaces, minerals can adhere, which increases the cation exchange capacity of the soil. Nitrogen compounds are made available to plants, and the formation of nitrous oxide after rainfall is significantly reduced. This keeps nutrients in the soil for longer. Biochar also contains a variety of important trace elements and nutrients. According to the new EU Fertilizer Ordinance, it is also recognized as an organic solid fertilizer.

Biochar is good for the climate

Biochar exhibits pronounced conductivity, which promotes the exchange of electrons between enzymes and thus increases the REDOX potential. Bacteria and enzymes use the charcoal as a catalyst to accelerate the conversion of biomass into humus. A biofilm of beneficial soil bacteria forms around the biochar, as all the necessary conditions for their reproduction are met: water, nutrients, habitat, and optimal reaction conditions.

Application notes

Soil application: In many soils, the carbon content has fallen so sharply that the creation of a self-regenerating, living humic soil is only possible with considerable effort and over several generations.