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Additive for Plastics, Concrete, and Asphalt

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Biochar is a carbon-rich material derived from the pyrolysis of biomass waste in an oxygen-limited environment. It has been recognized as a negative emission technology that can sequester carbon and mitigate climate change.

 

Biochar can also be used as a valuable additive for various construction materials, such as plastics, polymers, concrete, cement, and asphalt. Biochar can enhance the properties and performance of these materials by providing nucleation sites for chemical reactions, reducing weight and density, increasing strength and durability, improving thermal insulation and humidity regulation, and offering additional benefits such as air/water purification, electromagnetic shielding, and self-sensing.

 

However, not all Biochar's are suitable for construction materials or other high end technological applications. The quality and characteristics of Biochar highly depend on the feed-stock type, pyrolysis conditions, and post-treatment methods. Therefore, it is important to use only premium engineered Biochar that has been optimized for specific construction purposes. Premium engineered Biochar should have a high carbon content, a very porous structure, a large functionalized surface area, and a compatible particle size for the intended application.

Using our premium engineered Biochar, will ensure the optimal performance and sustainability of construction materials products or your manufacturing requirements for your particular industry, whether it be the plastics/polymer industry, concrete/cement/construction industry, asphalt industry, or any other industry requiring premium engineered Biochar; such as for its use in green energy storage devices, fuel cells, or pharmaceutical grade Biochar which has a number of amazing applications in medicine.

 

Tree of Life Biotechnology and our partner Biochar Now are working extensively with our scientists and engineers as well as other industry leaders in developing new application for premium Biochar, and improving on many of the existing ones. We have an extensive IP pipeline on a wide range of new application. 

If your company is interested in exploring the many uses of our premium engineered BioChar in any of the above applications, or in any contemplated new ones, please send us an email or give us a call, and we will be more than happy to cooperate & collaborate with you in meeting  your needs & requirements.

 

 

Biochar as an Additive and Filler for Plastics
& Polymers

 

Biochar is a carbon-rich material derived from the pyrolysis of biomass. It has been widely used as a soil amendment, but it can also offer many benefits to plastics and polymers. Some of these benefits are:

  • Biochar can improve the mechanical properties of plastics and polymers, such as tensile strength, modulus, and toughness, by acting as a reinforcing filler.

  • Biochar can enhance the thermal stability and flame retardancy of plastics and polymers, by reducing the heat release rate and smoke production during combustion.

  • Biochar can impart electrical conductivity and electromagnetic shielding to plastics and polymers, by forming a percolating network of carbon particles within the matrix.

  • Biochar can increase the biodegradability and compostability of plastics and polymers, by providing a source of nutrients and microorganisms for the degradation process.

  • Biochar can reduce the environmental impact of plastics and polymers, by replacing fossil-based carbon with renewable carbon and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

  • Creates Carbon Credits.

 

Therefore, Biochar is a promising additive for plastics and polymers that can improve their performance, functionality, and sustainability.

Peer Review Journal Articles on the Subject:

  • Emerging application of Biochar as a renewable and superior filler in polymer composites

       of Agave-Based Epoxy Biocomposites

       Potential Applications

 

 

Biochar as an Additive/Filler or Even Replacement for Cement and Concrete 

Biochar is a carbon-rich material derived from biomass waste that can be used as an additive or even a replacement for cement and concrete in construction projects. Biochar has many benefits for the environment and the performance of concrete. Some of these benefits are:

  • Biochar can sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the cement industry, which accounts for about 8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

  • Biochar can improve the mechanical properties of concrete, such as compressive strength, bending strength and fracture energy, by acting as micro-aggregates and providing nucleation sites for chemical reactions  .

  • Biochar can enhance the functional properties of concrete, such as humidity regulation, thermal insulation, noise reduction, air/water purification, electromagnetic shielding and self-sensing.

  • Biochar can reduce the demand for natural resources, such as sand and gravel, which are scarce and conflictual ingredients for concrete production.

 

Biochar is a versatile and sustainable material that can transform concrete into a carbon-negative and high-performance construction material. Biochar can be produced from various sources of biomass waste, such as agricultural residues, forestry by-products and municipal solid waste. Biochar can be incorporated into concrete in different forms and proportions, depending on the desired properties and applications.

Peer Review Journal Articles on the Subject:

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Biochar as an Additive/Filler for Asphalt 

 

When added to asphalt for roads BioChar will revolutionize the way we build roads and highways. Tens of thousands of kilometers of roads and highways are built or rebuilt around the planet every year. For the past six years, road building company CarbonCor, has been piloting the use of different types of BioChar in roads built in Malaysia, Thailand and most recently in Australia. They have developed road building materials that can sink up to 30 tons of BioChar into 1 kilometer of road thus sequestering 90 tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. At these rates, asphalt could potentially be a larger market for BioChar than soils! The addition of BioChar can improve the durability and increase the service life of asphalt pavement, reducing construction and maintenance costs over the complete life cycle of the asphalt pavement, which has significant economic and social value.

 

Biochar can enhance the properties and performance of asphalt. Some of the benefits of using premium Biochar as an additive to asphalt are:

  • It can improve the durability and stability of asphalt by reducing its susceptibility to cracking, rutting and aging.

  • It can lower the production and maintenance costs of asphalt by reducing the amount of binder and aggregate needed, as well as extending its service life.

  • It can reduce the environmental impact of asphalt by sequestering carbon, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving storm-water management.

  • It can provide social benefits by creating new markets for biomass waste, generating rural employment, and improving road safety and comfort.

  • Can sequester 90 tons of CO2 per kilometer of road which creates Carbon Credits for sale to further offset the cost of road construction.

 

Premium Biochar is a high-quality Biochar that meets certain specifications for particle size, porosity, surface area, and chemical composition. It can be tailored to suit different types of asphalt and applications. Premium Biochar is a promising additive that can enhance the sustainability and performance of asphalt in various ways.

Peer Review Journal Articles on the Subject:

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