Biochar Gains Traction in Spain as a Regenerative Soil Amendment

Spain is increasingly adopting biochar as a key component of regenerative agriculture and sustainable land management practices. Driven by the need to rehabilitate degraded soils and reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural systems, biochar – a charcoal-like substance produced from plant biomass through pyrolysis – is finding applications in both professional agriculture and urban arboriculture.

What is Biochar?

Biochar is an organic carbon material created by heating biomass, such as wood or agricultural waste, in an oxygen-limited environment. This process, called pyrolysis, transforms the biomass into a stable form of carbon that can be added to soil. According to Abel Zahínos of LivingChar, biochar acts as a carbon sequestration tool although simultaneously improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil.

Benefits for Spanish Soils

Many Spanish soils have suffered from carbon loss due to intensive farming, high temperatures, and limited water availability. Unlike traditional fertilizers that directly provide nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), biochar focuses on enhancing soil structure, increasing its cation exchange capacity, and improving water and nutrient management.

“An ideal soil is made up of roughly 25 percent water, 25 percent air, and the remainder mineral fraction and organic matter,” explains Zahínos. “In degraded or compacted soils, those pores collapse, reducing the capacity to store and manage water and oxygen essential for plant growth.” Biochar helps restore these vital pore spaces, promoting better circulation of water and gases, and increasing crop resilience to climate change.

Biochar Production and Initiatives in Spain

Several initiatives are underway to boost biochar production in Spain:

• LivingChar: This cooperative produces biochar from pine wood, certified under the European Biochar Certificate, ensuring sustainability and product safety.
• Amata Green: Founded in 2017, Amata Green is developing a biochar production facility in southern Spain, aiming to produce between 1,000 and 7,000 tonnes of biochar annually. TerraLupa reports the project intends to expand with five additional facilities.
• Carbonfields: Located in Sevilla, Terrawatt’s Carbonfields project transforms 10,000 tonnes of olive tree prunings into biochar each year, enhancing local soil health and sequestering carbon. The project began in 2023. Rainbow Standard provides details on this initiative.

Biochar in Olive Groves

Researchers at the University of Jaen are experimenting with biochar application in olive groves, as highlighted in a Reuters photo. This demonstrates the growing interest in biochar’s potential to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability in Spain.

Expanding Applications

Beyond agriculture, biochar is similarly being used in urban arboriculture, demonstrating its versatility as a regenerative soil amendment. As Spain continues to prioritize soil health and carbon reduction, biochar is poised to play an increasingly significant role in achieving these goals.