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Small doses of caustic soda increase biogas production from banana waste

A study conducted at São Paulo State University found that low concentrations of caustic soda increase methane production from banana waste, reducing reagent consumption and process costs. The optimal concentration of 0.2% NaOH promotes the greatest solubilization of carbohydrates and highest rate of gas production.

New biochar composite offers a two-in-one strategy for safer rice and lower methane emissions

A new study published in Biochar reports a promising approach to address food safety and climate challenges at the same time. A titanium dioxide-loaded biochar material reduces arsenic mobilization and methane emissions in flooded paddy soil, offering a two-in-one strategy for safer rice and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2026

From lavender waste to climate-smart carbon: New study maps practical windows for producing biochar

Researchers have developed a mechanism-resolved framework to convert lavender distillation residue into valuable biochar. The optimized process balances yield, energy use, and environmental indicators, producing carbon-rich material with potential uses in soil improvement and carbon storage.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2026

The right heat makes biochar a better helper for food waste composting

A new study published in Biochar shows that the temperature used to produce biochar plays a decisive role in controlling nitrogen losses during food waste digestate composting. Hardwood biochar made at 400 °C reduced total nitrogen loss by 46.3% compared with composting without biochar, outperforming biochars made at 300 °C and 800 °C.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2026

Turning waste into smarter carbon materials for soil and water conservation

Researchers used game theory to identify promising porous carbon materials made from agricultural and industrial waste. The study found that certain samples, such as rice straw-KOH-level 2, performed well in terms of surface area and pore volume, making them suitable for applications in soil amendment, water conservation, and pollutant...

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

EU rules could make fossil-free aviation fuels unnecessarily expensive and energy-intensive

The EU's plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels risk steering development towards more expensive and energy-intensive pathways. A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the current regulatory framework favours combustion-based alternatives over gasification, leading to increased costs and energy use.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalFuel·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 14, 2026

New biochar composite tackles arsenic pollution and methane emissions in rice paddies

A new study reports a promising solution to address both arsenic contamination and greenhouse gas emissions in rice paddies using an engineered biochar material enhanced with titanium dioxide. The findings highlight a new strategy to improve food safety while lowering agriculture’s climate footprint.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2026

Tuning biochar temperature unlocks major nitrogen savings in food waste composting

Researchers discovered that carefully selecting the temperature used to produce biochar can optimize both environmental performance and compost quality. Biochar produced at a moderate temperature achieved the optimal balance between ammonium adsorption and microbial nitrification, resulting in a 46.3% reduction in total nitrogen loss.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2026

Five-year field study reveals smarter biochar strategy to cut methane from rice paddies

A five-year field study shows that small, repeated additions of biochar combined with water-saving irrigation can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies over time while maintaining strong crop yields. Continuous application maintained and strengthened methane reduction, producing net negative emissions in some cases.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2026

Engineered biochar and beneficial bacteria team up to boost crop growth

Researchers developed a specially engineered biochar made from sewage sludge that significantly enhances plant growth when combined with beneficial bacteria. The biochar-bacteria combination improved nitrogen cycling and increased the abundance of beneficial soil microbes, leading to greater plant nutrition and growth.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2026

Agricultural and industrial waste transformed into advanced porous carbon for soil and water conservation

Researchers transformed waste into high-performance porous carbon materials for soil and water conservation. The study identified top-performing materials from agricultural wastes, which exhibited high surface areas and favorable pore structures, enhancing adsorption capacity and water retention.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2026

New farm-scale biochar system could cut agricultural emissions by 75 percent while removing carbon from the atmosphere

A new study presents a practical and regulation-compliant design for producing biochar on farms that could dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture while permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The proposed system could produce 300 tonnes of biochar annually, sequester approximately 350 tonnes of c...

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2026

Feeding biochar to cattle may help lock carbon in soil and cut agricultural emissions

A recent study found that adding biochar to cattle feed can create a cascading environmental benefit by improving soil carbon storage. The researchers discovered that approximately 70-90% of the biochar survived digestion and retained key characteristics associated with long-term stability.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2026

Optimized biochar use could cut China’s cropland nitrous oxide emissions by up to half

A study published in Biochar found that optimized biochar application could reduce China's cropland nitrous oxide emissions by as much as 50 percent. The researchers analyzed data from over a decade of field studies across China and identified optimal biochar strategies to deliver substantial climate benefits.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 8, 2026

Reducing the carbon footprint of our plates: A European perspective

A groundbreaking European study by Dr. Mohammad Fazle Rabbi evaluates the EU's food system and identifies key pathways for reduction in carbon emissions. The research highlights systemic inefficiencies, regional disparities, and improvements in circular economy practices that can contribute to emission reductions.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalCarbon Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2025

High-purity green hydrogen with very low tar from biomass, with chemical looping gasification

A study from the University of Johannesburg presents a promising industrial process that can turn sugarcane waste into green hydrogen with high energy efficiency and low tar content. The Sorption-Enhanced Chemical Looping Gasification (SECLG) process produces a small fraction of unwanted by-products, making it an attractive alternative...

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalRenewable Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 14, 2025

Spinning food processing waste into ‘gold’

Researchers analyzed 46 waste samples and proposed production opportunities for sustainable fuels, biogas, electricity, chemicals, and organic fertilizer. The study aims to reduce food waste and its environmental impact by finding alternative uses for industrial waste products.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateJan 25, 2023

CO2 conversion using a new Power-to-X system

A new pilot-scale project aims to produce biomethane from renewable electricity and CO2 in a cost-effective system. The InjectMe project, funded by the Danish Energy Agency, will test a biological methanation system that converts electricity and biogas into natural-gas-quality biomethane.

How to harness the power of biosolids to make hydrogen

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a patented technology that harnesses the power of biosolids to produce hydrogen from wastewater, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to existing methods. The approach traps carbon emissions while producing clean fuel, offering a true environmental and economic win.

SourceRMIT University·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateSep 14, 2020

Sustainable markets must be created and defended

A conceptual framework has been developed to analyze the creation and shaping of sustainable markets, such as Sweden's biogas market. The framework highlights three key requirements: enabling exchange practices, constructing a narrative about sustainability, and proving the system through reliable evidence.

SourceLinköping University·JournalEnvironmental Innovation and Societal Transitions·DateJan 21, 2020

Reproducible research for biofuels and biogas

A team of researchers from Bielefeld University created a virtual package of data for biogas production to improve its understanding. They made their research more reproducible by releasing all the data and computational methods as a shareable container, enabling others to build on these resources to study biogas generation.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateJul 30, 2015

Time to make more out of waste

The EUREKA project BIO-EXPERTISE has developed a methodological guide to biomethanisation, allowing for more efficient waste treatment in Spain. The research improved the treatment of urban waste, increasing biogas production and electricity generation.

SourceEUREKA·DateJul 1, 2011

Electricity from straw

Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft develop biogas plant that generates 30% more electricity from non-edible corn stalks. The new plant reduces storage time by 50-70% and boosts electrical efficiency to 40-55% with fuel cells.

Cow power could generate electricity for millions

Converting livestock manure into biogas can produce enough electricity to meet up to 3% of North America's energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process has the potential to generate 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, equivalent to powering millions of homes.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 24, 2008