Summary

After an extensive due diligence process, atmosfair has partnered with the South Africa-based company AquaGel (Pty) Ltd for the industrial production of biochar in Johannesburg, South Africa. The feedstock for the process consists of damaged parts of wooden pallets that can no longer be reused, and their diversion into biochar production avoids disposal through landfill or incineration, ensuring circular use of residual wood materials.

In the carbonization process, chipped wood is exposed to high temperatures to produce biochar, which is then combined with locally sourced rock dust to enhance the soil-conditioning properties of the final product. The biochar and rock dusts are combined and further processed according to AquaGel’s patented blend to produce fertilizer pellets marketed under the product name RegenR8™.

RegenR8™ combines biochar and mineral rock dust to support long-term soil health. While biochar contributes to improved soil structure, water retention, and microbial activity, the rock dust component provides additional minerals that can help replenish depleted soils and support nutrient availability. Together, these components form a regenerative fertilizer product aimed at strengthening soil resilience and reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. In August 2024, the product received official registration from South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) as a Group 3 fertilizer and plant growth enhancer, unlocking significant commercial potential. Field trials have shown promising results, with yield increases of 10–20% when blended into standard fertilizer applications, and further trials for additional crops are currently ongoing.

Technology

The facility operates as an industrial hybrid combustion–gasification–pyrolysis plant. While a pure pyrolysis process would maximize biochar production, this hybrid approach is designed to balance biochar yield with energy recovery by converting much of the available energy into pyrolysis gas. This gas is captured and used to generate heat and electricity on-site, and critically, the process produces no tar, a problematic by-product common in the low-temperature or poorly controlled pyrolysis system. This results in a cleaner and more resource-efficient process that maximizes the use of all by-products while maintaining high biochar quality, confirmed by independent laboratory testing across key metrics including organic carbon content, H/C and O/C ratios, PAH levels, ash content, etc. The plant is designed to be self-sufficient, energy efficient and to operate with a low carbon footprint.

Biochar

Biochar’s agronomic value lies in its highly porous structure and chemical stability. When applied to soil, it acts as a long-term habitat for beneficial microorganisms, improves aeration, and retains both water and nutrients that would otherwise be leached away during rainfall. These properties are particularly valuable in the context of South Africa’s agricultural soils, which face increasing pressure from drought, erosion and decades of synthetic fertilizer use. Furthermore, the carbon-rich material remains stable in the soil for centuries.

RegenR8™

AquaGel’s patented fertilizer pallets further enhance the soil conditioning effect through the addition of mineral rock dust. Rock dust releases a broad spectrum of trace minerals and micronutrients slowly over time through natural weathering, gradually replenishing soils that have been depleted of these elements.  Combined with biochar’s structural and biological benefits, the two components work synergistically: Biochar creates the physical conditions for nutrient retention, while rock dust continuously restores the mineral content that sustains long-term soil fertility. RegenR8™ can be tailored to suit specific soil types and crop needs by adjusting the ratio of volcanic rock dust to biochar. However, atmosfair does not currently certify the effects of enhanced rock weathering and therefore treats these as additional environmental benefits rather than certified climate impacts.

digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification

The project uses Cula, a leading digital Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (dMRV) provider, to ensure that every tonne of CO₂ removed is transparently monitored and independently verifiable. The Cula platform captures real-time machine and IoT data directly from on-site operations while automating data collection, reporting, and audit trails. This digital approach increases transparency, reduces the risk of manual errors, and strengthens the integrity and credibility of the carbon credits generated by the project.

Certification

For certification, AquaGel and atmosfair have chosen the Carbon Standard International (CSI), which focuses on the production and integration of biochar and is a leading standard in the field of biochar certification. Compared to other standards, the calculation of carbon sinks can be considered rather conservative. The certification is divided into two parts: firstly, the production process, in which a sink potential is created, and secondly, the utilization process, in which the potential is then actually converted into a sink.

Our Partner

Our partner, AquaGel (Pty) Ltd is a South African based company founded in 2018 by a team of soil scientists, sustainability experts, and agricultural entrepreneurs who saw a need for a natural fertilizer alternative that could reverse the damage caused by conventional farming practices. AquaGel’s commitment to restoring soil health, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and advancing regenerative agriculture makes them a valued partner in our mission to combat climate change, strengthen food security and promote sustainable practices in the Global South.

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