A new biochar facility has launched in Heber City, Utah, to address the growing issue of beetle-kill forests in the western United States. The project, led by CO2-Sync in partnership with the German firm Carbo-FORCE, converts dead and waste wood into biochar, a porous and carbon-rich material.
The facility utilizes advanced Carbo-FORCE technology, which is described as a clean and smoke-free process that produces excess heat capable of powering nearby buildings. This technology provides high carbon content and superior porosity for the resulting biochar. The first machine is currently operating on the Euclid Timber Frames property, having been installed by timber frame builder Kip Apostol to find a sustainable solution for wood waste from high-tech milling equipment.
Biochar is produced by heating organic materials, such as wood, in the absence of oxygen. The resulting material can be used to improve soil health, retain water, filter toxins, and strengthen construction materials.
CO2-Sync has reported interest from various entities, including the U.S. Forest Service, mining companies, golf courses, and agricultural users. The company intends to scale the model by building 54 additional plants across the West.
