Author Archives: ArgoLivingSoils

NEWS

Argo Living Soils Corp. Signs Research and Development Agreement with
Connective Global and Announces Director and Advisor Appointments

Posted on by ArgoLivingSoils

Vancouver, British Columbia—(October 28, 2024) – Argo Living Soils Corp. (CSE: ARGO) (OTC Pink: ARLSF) (“Argo” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases dated March 5, 2024, April 2, 2024, April 9, 2024, April 19, 2024 and June 3, 2024, the Company has signed a binding research and development phase definitive agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) with Malaysian-based company Connective Global SDN BHD (“Connective Global”) to establish a strategic partnership between the two entities. The Definitive Agreement replaces the Company’s previously announced non-binding memorandum of understanding with Connective Global.

Argo’s Definitive Agreement with Connective Global strategically positions the Company in Southeast Asia, creating a formidable opportunity for growth and expansion. In line with this initiative, the Company is pleased to announce two key appointments that bring significant experience and expertise specific to the biochar market and the region.

Appointees

Mr. Lee (Daniel) Kok Onn has joined Argo’s Board of Directors. With an MBA from University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Mr. Lee has served as a technical and market development advisor for multinational corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and Boehringer Ingelheim. He is currently the Marketing Director at Ameoba Venture and the International Business Manager for Hovid Berhad, adding valuable insights for these organizations into the Southeast Asian market.


Argo also welcomes Professor Mohamad Amran Salleh, PhD (Chem Eng), as a Special Advisor to the company. Dr. Salleh is the President of the Biochar Malaysian Association and earned his PhD from the University of Birmingham (UK) in 2003. He currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Foundation Center for Agriculture at UPM and previously led the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at UPM. His expertise will significantly enhance our strategic initiatives in the region.

Together, these appointments augment Argo’s capabilities, further positioning the Company for success in Southeast Asia.

The collaboration between Argo and Connective Global has uncovered significant potential for biochar-based products in key markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Biochar’s capacity to rejuvenate and enrich heavily cultivated agricultural soils could substantially enhance food production in these areas.

Definitive Agreement

As a condition of the Definitive Agreement, Connective Global has secured the research facilities of University Putra Malaysia for Argo and Connective Global to conduct their joint research. The parties agreed that the research and development phase is anticipated to last until September, 2025.

Under the Definitive Agreement, Argo has agreed to fund a C$100,000 budget for research and development and issue up to 500,000 common shares to Connective Global. As of the date of this news release, Argo has paid a total of C$45,000 and issued 125,000 common shares (on a post-consolidation basis). The remaining payments and share issuances are scheduled to occur in four installments over the next year, with the final payment due on August 15, 2025. These installments include both cash payments and share issuances, totaling the remainder of the agreed-upon amount. All securities issued will be subject to a statutory four-month hold from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Additionally, Connective Global has granted Argo an irrevocable and exclusive right and option to, at any time while the Definitive Agreement remains in effect, purchase and acquire all of the property, assets and/or shares of Connective Global in consideration for Argo issuing 2,000,000 common shares. The ultimate transaction structure of such acquisition, if such an option is exercised by Argo, will be determined by Argo based on tax, securities law, corporate law, and other considerations.

If the 12-month research and development phase is successful, Argo and Connective Global agree to make reasonable commercial efforts to negotiate and enter into a commercial production agreement. However, there is no guarantee that a definitive commercial production agreement will proceed as outlined above or be completed at all.

Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, Argo and Connective Global have agreed to jointly pursue the research and development of biochar for agricultural and industrial applications in Malaysia and across certain regions in Asia.

About Connective Global SDN BHD

Connective Global is a Malaysian-based company specializing in the manufacture and distribution of organic fertilizers, agricultural products and food items in Southeast Asia, with a focus on environmentally sustainable products and services.

About University Putra Malaysia

University Putra Malaysia (UPM), established initially as the School of Agriculture in 1931, has its origins in agricultural education and research. It maintains a strong focus on agricultural sciences, including agronomy, horticulture, animal sciences, food science and technology, forestry, and agricultural biotechnology. Ranked No. 36 globally for agricultural sciences by United States News & World Report, UPM is renowned for its robust programs and research initiatives in these fields.

About Argo Living Soils Corp.

The Company specializes in producing and developing organic products, including soil amendments, living soils, biofertilizers, vermicompost and compost extracts formulated specifically for high-value crops. The Company’s vision and overall business plan are to create an established brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. The Company was founded in 2018.

We Seek Safe Harbor

For further information please contact:
Robert Intile
Director
Argo Living Soils Corp.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-763-4017

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information contained herein constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, a joint venture with Hampshire, the form of transaction between Argo and Hampshire, the Company providing further updates on the foregoing collaboration completing due diligence and entering into a joint development agreement, the completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds and the Company creating a brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will”, “potential”, “plans”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “will” occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, risks that current and any future global supply chain issues will delay the proposed project; risks that the Company will not be able to secure required financing on reasonable terms or at all; risks with respect to the implementation of law and regulations that may impose restrictions on the Company’s activities in Malaysia. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company and its ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms as required; a continued working relationship between the Company and Hampshire; the competitive conditions of the industries in which the Company operates not increasing significantly; and no changes to the laws applicable to the Company and in Malaysia which would have an adverse material effect on the Company Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The securities offered under the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy nor will there be any sale of these securities in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, state or jurisdiction.

NEWS

Argo Living Soils Corp. In Joint Venture Negotiations With Hampshire Eco Farms Malaysia, Announces Private Placement Offering

Posted on by ArgoLivingSoils

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – September 16, 2024) – Argo Living Soils Corp. (CSE: ARGO) (OTC Pink: ARLSF) (“Argo” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide the following updates regarding Company activities in Malaysia.

Argo has entered into negotiations for a potential joint venture or other similar form of transaction with Hampshire Eco Farms SDN BHD (“Hampshire”) in Malaysia. Details will be announced once they are available and any final form of transaction if agreed to by the parties will be based on corporate, tax, securities and other legal considerations and subject to customary conditions typical for a transaction of this nature.

In addition, Argo announces a private placement offering of up to 3,000,000 (the “Units”) at a price of $0.15 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $450,000 (the “Offering”).

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one transferrable share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.20 per share for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering. In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay customary finder’s fees.

The Company plans to use proceeds of the Offering for general working capital purposes and identifying and evaluating strategic business opportunities which align with the Company’s business plan.

All securities to be issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month and one day hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

As at the date of this news release, no agreement between Argo and Hampshire has been completed or executed and there is no guarantee that the joint venture or any other similar form of transaction will proceed as outlined above. The transaction remains subject to negotiation and execution of definitive documentation acceptable to both parties, which may or may not be completed. Updates on the transaction will be provided once available.

About Argo Living Soils Corp.

The Company specializes in producing and developing organic products, including soil amendments, living soils, biofertilizers, vermicompost and compost extracts formulated specifically for high-value crops. The Company’s vision and overall business plan are to create an established brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. The Company was founded in 2018.

About Hampshire Eco Farms

Hampshire Eco Farms focus is towards eco-sustainable practices, a dedication to innovative agricultural practices that respects and enriches the environment. Hampshire has grown from a modest operation into a pioneer of eco-agriculture, integrated organic farming with renewable energy solutions to model sustainability in agriculture. https://hampshire-ecofarms.com/

We Seek Safe Harbor.

For further information please contact:
Robert Intile
Director
Argo Living Soils Corp.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 604-763-4017

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information contained herein constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, a joint venture with Hampshire, the form of transaction between Argo and Hampshire, the Company providing further updates on the foregoing collaboration completing due diligence and entering into a joint development agreement, the completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds and the Company creating a brand of organic and/or environmentally friendly products. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will”, “potential”, “plans”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “will” occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, risks that current and any future global supply chain issues will delay the proposed project; risks that the Company will not be able to secure required financing on reasonable terms or at all; risks with respect to the implementation of law and regulations that may impose restrictions on the Company’s activities in Malaysia. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company and its ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms as required; a continued working relationship between the Company and Hampshire; the competitive conditions of the industries in which the Company operates not increasing significantly; and no changes to the laws applicable to the Company and in Malaysia which would have an adverse material effect on the Company Although management of the Company have attempted to identify important factors and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The securities offered under the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy nor will there be any sale of these securities in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, state or jurisdiction.

NEWS

July 22 2024 ARGO LIVING SOILS ANNOUNCES SHARE CONSOLIDATION

Posted on by ArgoLivingSoils

Vancouver, British Columbia – July 22, 2024 ‐ Argo Living Soils Corp. (CSE: ARGO) (OTC Pink: ARLSF) announces that its board of directors has approved a share consolidation (the “Consolidation”) of the common shares in the capital of the Company at a ratio of two (2) pre-Consolidation common shares for one (1) post-Consolidation common share.

Effective at the opening of trading on July 26, 2024 (the “Effective Date”) the common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) will commence trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange on a consolidated basis.

As a result of the Consolidation, on the Effective Date, the number of issued and outstanding Shares will be reduced from the current 27,008,001 outstanding Shares to approximately 13,504,000 Shares, subject to rounding. No fractional shares will be issued. The number of post-Consolidation Shares to be issued to shareholders will be rounded up to the nearest whole number for fractions of 0.5 or greater or rounded down to the nearest whole number for fractions of less than 0.5, and no cash consideration will be paid in respect of fractional shares.

The exercise or conversion price and the number of Shares issuable under any of the Company’s outstanding convertible securities will be proportionately adjusted to reflect the Consolidation on the Effective Date. As a result of the Consolidation, approximately 5,964,000 post-Consolidation Shares will be reserved for issuance on exercise of the Company’s outstanding convertible securities.

Registered shareholders who hold Shares represented by a physical certificate will receive a letter of transmittal from the transfer agent for the Company, Odyssey Trust Company, with instructions on how to exchange their existing certificates for certificates representing post-Consolidation Shares. No action is required by registered shareholders who hold their Shares in book-entry (e.g. DRS) form and non-registered shareholders (shareholders who hold their Shares through an intermediary) to effect the Consolidation.

The Company name and trading symbol will remain unchanged after the Consolidation. The new CUSIP number will be 04018T306 and the new ISIN number will be CA04018T3064 for the post-Consolidation Shares.

The Company also announces that it has determined not to proceed with the $540,000 non-brokered private placement of units previously announced on June 19, 2024.

Biochar Use Cases

Biochar Use Cases: The Middle East

Posted on by ArgoLivingSoils

Biochar, a charcoal-like substance derived from organic materials, holds immense potential for sustainable agriculture, environmental management, and industrial applications. In the Middle East, where arid climates and soil degradation pose significant challenges, biochar offers promising solutions across various sectors.

Use Case #1: Enhancing Soil Fertility (Saudi Arabia)

Use Case #2: CO2 Capture and Sequestration (UAE)

Use Case #3: Water Filtration and Desalination (Nigeria)

Use Case #4: Water Purification (The Philippines)

Use Case #1: Enhancing Soil Fertility (Saudi Arabia)

In the Middle East, where fertile, arable land is in short supply, heavy metal-contaminated soils pose a severe threat to the ecosystem, especially since there is limited area available for safe food production. Human activities like mining are the region’s primary source of heavy metal pollution, but nowhere is this more evident than in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To rehabilitate and maintain the viability of land used for crops, it is crucial to limit the accessibility of heavy metals to plants in contaminated soils.

Soil Remediation:Biochar Provides A New Solution For Metal Contamination

In a 2014 study, biochar (produced from pyrolysis of Conocarpus-buttonwood) was added to metal-contaminated soil from the mining area of Mahad Ad’ Dahab, Saudi Arabia, to measure its effects on moisture content, heavy metal concentrations, and soil quality for growing maize plants.

Results showed that biochar improves soil moisture content by 30% at a 75% moisture level and doubled the retained moisture at a 100% moisture level. Biochar reduced bulk density by 12%, improving soil quality. Since high bulk density can halt microbe activity and other biochemical processes needed for plant growth. The incorporation of biochar also significantly reduced the content of heavy metals, with the highest reduction of 51.3% and 60.5% for manganese, 28.0% and 21.2% for zinc, 60.0% and 29.5% for copper, and 53.2% and 47.2% for cadmium at soil moisture levels of 75% and 100% FC, respectively.


Key Points 

  • Biochar improved the soil moisture content of maize plants grown in metal-contaminated soil by 30% at a 75% moisture level and doubled the retained moisture at a 100% moisture level.
  • Biochar reduced soil bulk density by 12%, improving soil quality and plant yield.
  • Most importantly, biochar significantly reduced the plant uptake of heavy metals, with the highest reduction of 51.3% and 60.5% for manganese, 28.0% and 21.2% for zinc, 60.0% and 29.5% for copper, and 53.2% and 47.2% for cadmium at soil moisture levels of 75% and 100% FC, respectively.

Use Case #2: CO2 Capture and Sequestration (UAE)

Biochar offers an innovative solution to both waste management and carbon capture, specifically in the United Arab Emirates and in the greater region. Date palm leaf bio-waste, a different form from the traditional feedstocks usually made into biochar, was studied for its carbon sequestration and C02 capture capacity.

Date Palm Biochar: A Regional Alternative Performs Well Under Pressure

In a study of date palm biochar as a climate change solution, the pyrolysis (heating the biowaste in the absence of oxygen) of the date palm leaf was performed at different temperatures ranging from 300°- 600 °C, with the DPL biochar produced retaining between 7% to 25% of its weight in C02. The biochar’s C02 absorption capacity increased with the temperatures used for the pyrolysis process.

Studies by Sizirici et al. (2021) concurrently revealed that the carbon content of the date leaf biochar was amplified with an increase in the pyrolysis temperature: The carbon content of feedstock was 31 percent, which increased to 47–57 percent in leaf biomass samples.

Date palm leaf biochar production is a sustainable agricultural practice that contributes to waste management and soil enhancement, as date palm leaf bio-waste is common in the Middle Eastern region, with very few helpful disposal alternatives. It can create economic opportunities for farmers and communities by adding value to agricultural residues and developing markets for biochar products.


Key Points 

  • Date Palm Leaf biochar retained between 7% and 25% of its weight in C02.
  • The biochar’s C02 absorption capacity increased with the temperatures used for the pyrolysis process.

Use Case #3: Water Filtration and Desalination (Nigeria)

Studies have shown that biochar can effectively remove contaminants and impurities from water, making it suitable for irrigation and human consumption. It is particularly relevant in water-scarce areas throughout Africa and the Middle East.

Sustainable Treatment of Wastewater with Biochar and Bio-Sand Filtration

A joint experiment between the Federal College of Petroleum Resources in Effurun, Nigeria and Tennessee Technological University in the US, examining the efficiency of biofilters consisting of gravel, cassava-peel biochar and sand to filter oily wastewater, has produced some remarkable results.

The constructed biochar-based filters indicated that the oily wastewater, after being treated by the biofilter, had a percentage reduction of 56.89% – 83.44% in organic pollutants and reduced chemical contaminants by 32.67%.

The filtration system was also tested for heavy metal filtration, with the results underscoring the potential of cassava peel biochar to effectively mitigate specific heavy metal concentrations, like lead, nickel, copper, iron and zinc.

In the study, lead was reduced by up to 74% nickel and 54%, with copper and chromium being wholly removed from the treated water samples, revealing the cassava peel biochar’s exceptional efficiency in eliminating those two minerals. Iron was reduced by approximately 25%, while zinc was reduced by 50%.

Key Points 

  • Water treated by the biochar/bio-sand filter system had a percentage reduction of 56.89% – 83.44% in organic pollutants and reduced chemical contaminants by 32.67%
  • The cassava-peel biochar-based filter reduced the lead by up to 74%, nickel by 54%, iron by approximately 25%, and zinc by 50%.
  • During biofiltration, copper and chromium were removed entirely from the treated water samples, demonstrating 100% filtration efficiency for those two particular metals.

This biochar application can offer a sustainable solution for resource conservation and land restoration due to the effects of petroleum extraction and refining, which are significant industries throughout Africa and the Middle East.

Use Case #4: Biochar as a Renewable Energy Source )

With the current energy crisis and depletion of fossil fuels, finding sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources is crucial, and there are several biomass conversion pathways for producing bioenergy as a valuable byproduct of making biochar, with the ability to create electricity, biodiesel, and biohydrogen.

Not Just for Agriculture – Biochar Creates Its Own Clean Energy

Biochar from biomass can yield high biodiesel during conversion, ranging from 32.8% to 97.75%.

It can also serve as an anode, cathode, and catalyst in microbial fuel cells with a maximum power density of 4346 mW/m2. Biochar also plays a role in catalytic methane decomposition and dry methane reforming, with hydrogen conversion rates ranging from 13.4% to 95.7%. Biochar can also increase hydrogen yield by up to 220.3%.

In general, biofuels produced from biomass, including biochar pyrolysis, can displace up to 27% of the world’s transportation fuel by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.7 billion metric tons per year.


Key Points 

  • Biochar can yield high biodiesel during conversion, ranging from 32.8% to 97.75%.
  • It can also serve as an anode, cathode, and catalyst in microbial fuel cells with a maximum power density of 4346 mW/m2.
  • Biochar also plays a role in catalytic methane decomposition and dry methane reforming, with hydrogen conversion rates ranging from 13.4% to 95.7% and increasing hydrogen yield by up to 220.3%.
  • Biofuel production (including biochar energy sources) could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 27%, or 3.7 billion metric tons per year.
Biochar Use Cases

Biochar Use Cases: Asia

Posted on by ArgoLivingSoils

Use Case #1 : Greenhouse Gas Reduction/ Carbon-Neutral Agriculture (China)

Use Case #2: Pine Tree Reforestation and Inoculation (Japan)

Use Case #3: Biochar Used as Vapor-absorbent Materials for Construction Materials and Explosives (South Korea)

Use Case #4: Water Purification (The Philippines)

Use Case #1: Greenhouse Gas Reduction/ Carbon-Neutral Agriculture (China)

Biochar, a promising solution, can reduce greenhouse gas and increase organic carbon in soil. Recent groundbreaking research from the Center for Landscape Research in Sustainable Agricultural Futures at Aarhus University has unveiled a biomass pyrolysis (biochar) system. This innovative system involves heating biomass, such as straw, without oxygen to produce biochar. The implications are significant: biochar could slash greenhouse gas emissions from Chinese crops and generate biogas and bio-oil as valuable byproducts for electricity production.

An Integrated System to Combat Climate Change

 Applying biochar in rice fields as part of an integrated system offers practical benefits. With its slow decomposition rate, biochar effectively sequesters carbon in the soil for a more extended period. This, along with the displacement of fossil fuels by bio-energy, forms the primary means of reducing emissions. The data suggests this biomass energy system could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 666.5 Tg to -37.9 Tg CO2-equivalent yr. This integrated system can also increase rice crop yield by 8.3%, significantly boosting agricultural productivity.

 By embracing this innovative solution, China can achieve its carbon-neutral goals and pave the way for sustainable agriculture. The practical benefits are clear: reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased crop yield, and the potential for bio-energy production, which creates a win-win situation for both the environment and the agricultural sector.

Key Points 

  • Data suggests a widely adopted biomass energy system could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 666.5 Teragrams (Tg) to -37.9 Tg CO2-equivalent per year. 1 Teragram is 1,000,000 metric tons.
  • The proposed biomass system would also positively affect rice crop yield by approximately 8.3%

Use Case #2: Pine Tree Reforestation and Inoculation (Japan)

This use case involves using biochar powder to help cultivate the edible and dominant mycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon rubescens associated with pine trees like Pinus thunbergii to promote their growth and inoculation. When small amounts of fertilizer were mixed with bark charcoal powder, and the mixture was applied to pines, fresh roots regenerated inside the charcoal layers three months later.

Regrowing Roots

 After a year of implementing the biochar system, the results were impressive. The amount of pine root and mycorrhiza in the charcoal increased significantly, improving the growth and colour of pine shoots. These seedlings’ survival rates and growth were consistently higher than those without mycorrhiza and charcoal. This is believed to be due to the enhanced uptake of nutrients and water absorption from increased mycorrhizal formation. The water content of the pine roots in the biochar was also considerably higher (40%) than that of a control group placed in sand (5%), simulating the dry season (Ogawa 1992).

Key Points 

  • The growth and colour of pine shoots and the amount of pine root and mycorrhiza in the presence of biochar considerably improved during biochar treatment.
  • The water content of the pine roots in the biochar was considerably higher (40%) than that of a control group simulating the dry season.

Use Case #3: Biochar Used as Vapor-absorbent Materials for Construction Materials and Explosives (South Korea)

South Korean commercial wood chip (WC) and biosolid (BS) biochars were used to make biochar-mortar composites tested for their carbon sequestration and absorption capacity. The biochar-mortar composites retained their engineering properties, including flowability, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity, with 3-5 wt.% biochar.

Clearing the Air

 As the biochar content increased, the concentration of benzene and toluene in the air decreased, indicating that biochar inclusion can remove volatile toxic contaminants that cause sick building syndrome. Bioassay tests confirmed that the biochar-mortar composites were not harmful, suggesting they could be environmentally friendly carbon-sequestering construction materials. The biochar composites were also evaluated to be useful as a sorbent (vapor-absorbing material) for nitro explosives, blocking a proportionate amount of nitroglycerin fumes from being inhaled by workers, a necessary safety component for many commercial explosives.

Key Points 

  • Adding 3-5% biochar to biochar-mortar composites reduced benzene and toluene concentrations in the air, preventing Sick Building Syndrome from phenol-based construction materials.
  • Biochar composites effectively block a proportionate amount of nitroglycerin fumes from entering the air, making them a valuable sorbent for worker safety in commercial explosives.

Use Case #4: Water Purification (The Philippines)

The CRZ or Clean River Zones project is a partnership between the Philippine Biochar Association, Philippine Mining Safety and Environment Association, and GMA7, a central television station in Manila, and aims to clean up Diliman Creek, located in Quezon City, Philippines, using Bokashi Balls.
Bokashi Balls, initially developed in Japan, contain a mixture of rice-hull biochar, soil and molasses, with the soil and biochar containing lactobacillus bacteria and other microorganisms that cleanse pollutants, eliminate foul odours and reoxygenate small bodies of water.

Clean River Zones – The Differences Are Visibly Clearer

 Another similar project was launched at Maningning Creek in Santa Ana, where upstream factories had turned the creekwater black and caused several severe outbreaks of dengue fever. In both Diliman and Maningning, the result has been visibly clear water, elimination of the creek’s once-noticeable odour and a more solid river floor, plus the absence of any further dengue outbreaks in Santa Ana in particular. Diliman and Maningning serve as a model for rehabilitating waterways, an example to be replicated to save other creeks and rivers in other ASEAN countries.

In another concurrent study conducted at the Turawa reservoir (Poland), evaluating effective microorganisms in the form of Bokashi balls, the analysis showed that it could be one of the most effective methods for cleaning water from unfavorable microorganisms (HBN22, HBN36, CBN, FCBN, FEN). After applying the Bokashi balls, their average concentration was reduced (from 46.44 to 58.38%). The duration of their effect ranged from 17.6 to 34.1 days. Using other water purification methods alongside the bokashi balls, like constructing wetlands, floating beds, or intermittent aeration, only increased the purification effect and improved the trophic status of the Turawa reservoir, expressed by the Carlson index, by 7.78% overall.

Key Points 

  • Bokashi Balls, containing a mixture of rice-hull biochar, soil and molasses, along with lactobacillus bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms, have been shown to cleanse river pollutants, eliminate foul odors and reoxygenate small bodies of water, returning river water that was visibly black back to clear.
  • Analysis showed that after applying the Bokashi balls, the concentration of harmful organisms in river water was reduced by 46.44 to 58.38% on average.
  • The duration of their effects ranged from 17.6 to 34.1 days but was prolonged when used with other purification methods like constructing wetlands, floating beds, and intermittent aeration.