Biochar is charcoal that is produced by pyrolysis of biomass in the absence of oxygen. Its use in agricultural systems is one viable option that can enhance natural rates of carbon sequestration in the soil, reduce agricultural waste, and improve soil quality.

It can be manufactured on a small-scale using low-cost modified stoves/kilns or through large-scale, more cost-intensive production, utilizing larger pyrolysis plants. The biochar feedstocks themselves are more cost-effective, given that the main source is residual low-value agricultural waste. Within the context of filtration, most wastewater treatment facilities & filtering products produce thousands of tons of activated charcoal annually.

Biochar is actually an economic alternative to activated charcoal (AC). It has the same adsorptive properties as AC, while simultaneously aiding waste management and soil remediation. Our material therefore has the potential to outcompete existing market standards.

Propolis is an ancient material, also known as “Bee Glue.” It is a resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the beehive.

Bees use propolis to mummify the carcasses of any unlucky hive intruders (like mice) to stop the spread of disease. It therefore has significant antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It serves as a perfect binder for our powdered biochar.

However, it needs to be harvested ethically at the end of the season in order to sustain the hive.