The granular biochar market size was valued at US$ 68.78 million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 172.10 million by 2030; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 12.1% from 2022 to 2030.
Based on application, the market is segmented into soil conditioner, fertilizer, and others. The soil conditioner segment held the largest share in 2022. The fertilizer segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Granular biochar, with its porous structure and high carbon content, has gained prominence as a versatile soil amendment, offering a range of benefits for plant growth and nutrient retention. As a fertilizer alternative, granular biochar improves soil fertility by enhancing nutrient availability and uptake for plants. Its porous structure acts as a reservoir for essential nutrients, preventing leaching and making them more accessible to plant roots over an extended period. This characteristic reduces the need for frequent fertilization, promoting resource efficiency in agriculture. Furthermore, the carbon-rich nature of granular biochar fosters a favorable environment for beneficial soil microorganisms. These microorganisms contribute to nutrient cycling and decomposition of organic matter, creating a synergistic relationship supporting overall soil health. As a result, the use of biochar-based fertilizers can contribute to sustainable farming practices by promoting long-term soil productivity. Beyond nutrient management, granular biochar has the potential to mitigate the environmental impacts of traditional fertilizers. By reducing nutrient runoff and leaching, biochar-based fertilizers can help address water pollution issues associated with excessive fertilizer application. This aligns with global efforts to adopt environmentally friendly practices in agriculture and minimize the ecological footprint of conventional farming methods.
Asia Pacific is estimated to register the fastest CAGR in the global granular biochar market from 2022 to 2030. Further, North America is another attractive market for granular biochar. The granular biochar market in North America is growing due to an increase in population and government subsidies, strong economies, robust food safety nets, and agricultural finance systems. With the increasing population in the region, the demand for fertilizers to boost crop productivity is increasing. Granular biochar is widely used in fertilizers to improve nutrient content and water holding capacity. Further, as per the reports of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), North America is the highest-ranking region for food affordability. In 2022, the contribution of agriculture to the US gross domestic product (GDP) was more significant than 1.1% because agricultural sectors rely on agricultural inputs to contribute added value to the economy. With the increase in agricultural production in the region, the demand for granular biochar is increasing. Granular biochar is also beneficial in improving environmental sustainability.
North America promotes the practice of balancing the growth of the agricultural sector with other sectors of the economy. The growth of the agriculture industry in the region is achieved by using organic fertilizer and granular biochar produced by pyrolysis or thermal decomposition of organic matter in an oxygen-starved chamber. When compared to other synthetic fertilizers, awareness about the benefits of biochar is very high. Further, the increasing knowledge among the farming community about the benefits of products such as granular biochar helps maintain soil fertility, acidity and nutrient value content will drive the demand for granular biochar in North America.
A few players operating in the global granular biochar market include Cyclic Carbon Pty Ltd, Advanced Renewable Technology International Inc, CharGrow USA LLC, Airex Energy Inc, Carbonis GmbH & Co KG, Pyreg GmbH, Oregon Biochar Solutions, Arsta Eco Pvt Ltd, American BioChar Co, and BioChar6. Players operating in the market focus on providing high-quality products to fulfill customer demand. Also, they are focusing on launching new and high-quality products for their customers.
The overall global granular biochar market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers-along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders-specializing in the granular biochar market.