Reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change is a complex challenge, with startups exploring innovative solutions. While many focus on industrial systems to remove pollutants from the air, others are looking to nature for answers.
Jason Aramburu and Morgan Williams found inspiration in the ancient practice of turning waste biomass into biochar, a substance that can store carbon for extended periods. They believe that biochar has the potential to sequester billions of metric tons of carbon annually while benefiting agricultural productivity.
However, the logistics of producing and distributing biochar present significant challenges. To address this, Aramburu and Williams founded Applied Carbon, a company that brings biochar facilities to the farm, simplifying the process and reducing costs.
Their innovative approach involves a farm implement that processes crop residue on-site, converting it into biochar and syngas for energy. This streamlined method improves carbon accounting and makes biochar production more efficient.
Applied Carbon has developed prototypes tailored for various crops and is scaling up production with the support of recent funding. Their goal is to make biochar technology accessible to farmers and facilitate the sale of carbon offsets generated by their operations.
With aspirations to reach gigaton scale, Applied Carbon envisions a future where farmers across the country adopt their sustainable practices. By partnering with investors and industry leaders, the company is poised to revolutionize carbon sequestration in agriculture.
