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Carbon removal

Producing biochar in Surrey

Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey
Producing biochar in Surrey

Why support this project?

The UK's carbon-budget pathways name biochar as a form of engineered greenhouse-gas removal, projected to remove around 3 MtCO₂ a year by 2050 — roughly 8% of the UK's engineered GGR requirement. 

The UK biochar market is also growing, valued at USD 1.96 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at ~15.5% a year through 2030. On the ground, trials across England are already showing the tangible soil benefits, improved water retention, nutrient exchange, and aeration. This highlights biochar’s potential to support both agriculture and carbon-sequestration objectives.

Surrey, where this project is located, is England's most wooded county at 24% woodland cover. This gives Brodie Biomass exactly what a strong biochar project needs: reliable, local, sustainable feedstock.

What is biochar?

Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich material made by heating plant residues to 350-1000°C with little oxygen. It locks carbon into solid form long-term and boosts soil nutrients and plant productivity.

Project summary

Brodie Biomass Ltd (BBL) is a sustainable farming enterprise based near Brockham in Surrey, England, dedicated to environmental stewardship through innovative biochar production. The team at Brodie are currently sourcing its wood feedstock from Arboreal risings (offcuts of timber) supplied by four tree surgeon operators and collected within a 25-mile radius of the farm, helping to keep transportation emissions low. These timber offcuts and coppiced wood are then converted into high-quality biochar using advanced pyrolysis technology. 

It is currently the only biochar project in the UK with both a European Biochar Certificate (EBC) and Soil Association approval.

Revenues from the sale of certified carbon credits play a critical role in enabling expansion, funding new pyrolysis units, and supporting distribution through new retail channels. In doing so, Brodie Biomass demonstrates how regionally grounded biochar production in England can combine carbon removal, soil restoration, and rural economic development within a single, scalable model for climate action.

Locations

Surrey , United Kingdom

Timeline

Follow the latest milestones and updates from this project.

Aug 2026
Ecologi site visit to Brodie Biomass!

Ecologi site visit to Brodie Biomass!

In May, the Ecologi team visited the Brodie Biomass farm to conduct an audit and carry out internal due diligence checks.

The team at Brodie uses offcuts of timber sourced within a 25-mile radius. Unlike many industrial biomass facilities that transport feedstock over large distances, Brodie's model is intentionally local.

Brodie Biomass founder Alex Brodie explained that local tree surgeons are already winning additional contracts because clients increasingly recognise the value of ensuring tree offcuts are used for carbon removal rather than simply disposed of!

You can read more about our visit or watch our video.

Apr 2026
Biochar lab results indicate low H/C ratio and high carbon content

Biochar lab results indicate low H/C ratio and high carbon content

Woodtek implemented significant upgrades to the Bibi C1000 pyrolysis unit in 2025, including adding a fan and modifying the biochar exit system from the pyrolysis grates.

These enhancements resulted in the production of exceptionally high-quality biochar. Independent testing by Eurofins confirmed the following results:

  • H/C Ratio: 0.07
  • Carbon Content: 86.2%

These metrics, particularly the very low H/C ratio and high carbon content, are indicative of a highly stable, premium-grade biochar with excellent long-term carbon sequestration potential.

Feb 2026
Improving energy efficiency in UK biochar production

Improving energy efficiency in UK biochar production

In 2025, Brodie Biomass continued its operations in line with its Project Design Document (PDD).

Looking ahead, Brodie is hoping in 2026 to purchase an Organic Ranking Cycle (ORC), which would support improved power/heat production efficiency. In addition, over the coming months, Cula (MRV) technology is expected to be installed at the site to strengthen monitoring and reporting capabilities.

Benefits

Climate

Biochar is a carbon-rich, highly stable soil amendment produced as a by-product of pyrolysis, which generates energy from biomass in the absence of oxygen. When biomass decomposes, carbon and methane escape into the atmosphere. Biochar retains most of the carbon. If we bury it, that carbon can be held for centuries in the soil.

This process can produce energy, improve soils, and store carbon. This solution provides an alternative to disposing of unused biomass through burning or decomposition.

Nature

Biochar can act as a natural water filter. This is incredibly beneficial when farming near waterways. The use of biochar as a natural growth aid, compared to chemical fertilisers, means that chemicals are not being leached into waterways and impacting the delicate aquatic ecosystems. Biochar effectively filters impurities, chemicals and heavy metals.

The use of biochar within the planting of crops (small-scale studies completed at Brodie Biomass Ltd) shows not only a larger and better quality yield of crops but also one that has better natural defences against pests than those tested without biochar. Brodie Biomass responsibly manages chemicals and waste, while no fossil fuels are used in the creation of biochar.

The application of biochar mixed with compost also helps increase soil microorganisms and mycorrhizal fungi, which in turn increases soil organic matter.

People

Tree surgeons working with Brodie Biomass are collecting arboreal risings from a 25mile radius of the farm. These clippings are used as feedstock and compost. Alongside this, the productive use of this biomass as a carbon-removal biochar; material that does not pass quality control is turned into composting mixes. The Brodie Biomass project is helping to provide greater work/ employment within the area. Tree surgeons within the area are finding that they are winning more contracts when their work / collected biomass is associated with the Brodie project.

SDGs supported

Climate Action

This is the primary verified goal. The project has removed and permanently sequestered 1455 tonnes of CO2 in biochar since Sept 2024.

Verification

These partners help deliver the project and verify its impact.