Michigan Organic Development, LLC. is a company that specializes in producing biochar for various markets, such as filtration, soil amendment, and construction materials. The company will begin production in September 2023 with two pyrolysis reactors at their facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The new facility will produce biochar by pyrolyzing Urban Wood Waste. Pyrolysis is a thermal chemical process that takes place at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen and is used to convert organic materials into valuable chemical products, such as biochar, bio-oil, and syngas. In Michigan’s case, the products will be biochar and syngas. The syngas will be combusted to produce renewable energy in the form of heat and electricity.

The biochar has a carbon content of 88%. Using the latest scientific evidence, it has been determined that each dry tonne of Michigan’s biochar sequesters 2.55 tonnes of CO2 for 100 years. A lifecycle assessment (LCA) of Michigan’s production process was carried out in January 2023. The LCA accounts for all process emissions from the harvesting, transport and handling of feedstock, production emissions, stack emissions, transport and application of the biochar on site.
 

Examples of usage info

• Wastewater filtration: Michigan Organic’s biochar has enhanced cationic functionality and can remove organic contaminants and metals from water, making it an effective secondary or tertiary filtration solution.

• Stormwater filtration: Biochar can help remove toxic metals and other pollutants from stormwater.

• Asphalt: Replacing a portion of bitumen coal binders with biochar improves hardness and reduces rutting, making it useful for parking lots and road surfaces.

• Concrete aggregate: The high silica content in biochar improves the durability and strength of concrete. Soil amendment/composting: Biochar aids the composting process, improves soil structure, and reduces the need for irrigation and fertilizers, resulting in higher yields.

Co-benefits info

• Wood Waste is one of this country’s most abundant  wastes, which are typically left to rot in the field or burnt.

• Substitution effect: Michigan process will produce 1 ton of biochar which will capture 2.55 tons of CO2

• Reduced use of fossil fuel-based fertilizers.

• Green jobs: Biochar production can increase employment and tax revenue in rural areas.

• Crop yields: Biochar improves soil health by increasing water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.

• Air pollution reduction: Biochar production reduces the amount of greenhouse gases and air pollutants generated by burning biomass waste.

• Concrete production: Biochar can be used as an ingredient in the production of concrete, reducing the amount of cement used, and therefore the emissions generated during its production.