Pyronam Biochar, a Namibian subsidiary of a German company that is producing biochar is working to expand its facilities in Namibia.
This investment was confirmed by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board.
Biochar is a charcoal-like material that is produced from plant materials such as grass, agricultural and forest residues that are decomposed at high temperatures, often during renewable energy production.
The company is expecting to employ 5600 permanent workers and 5600 seasonal workers at full production.
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development also disclosed that the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is being consulted to bring the European Certification Agency (Swiss-based) to Namibia, to open their first office in Africa.
“Namibia will benefit as a country as negative emission certificates or Carbon Sink Certificates will be issued in favour of Namibia. The project started its initial operations during 2022 and is groundbreaking five additional sites this year.”
The Board said the end product will be used as a soil amendment to improve soil quality and fertility in Namibia.
“There are currently no certified biochar producers or products in Namibia, as the use of biochar in agriculture is still in its early stages.”
The project started its initial operations during 2022 and is groundbreaking five additional sites this year.
Pyronam Biochar states that massive scaling is possible as no investment from biomass owners is needed.
“Up to 50 percent of Namibia’s total CO2 emissions can be neutralised in this way. This will enable Namibia to become the world’s leading carbon-negative nation,” the company states.
The company hopes to establish 1000 plants in 12 years, which will see 1 000 000 tons of biochar produced per year and 2 500 000 tons CO2 net removed per year.
The company further states that with 1000 000 tons of biochar, up to 100 000 hectares of degraded soils can be made fertile.
According to the United Nations, Namibia’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions on climate change paves the way for more resilient, green growth, with a bold 2030 goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 91 percent against business-as-usual, including 14 percent with unconditional contributions, together with plans to scale-up renewable energy and an elaborated adaptation component.
The mitigation target is more ambitious than the initial one in terms of the volume of avoided greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The updated Nationally Determined Contributions reflect comprehensive stakeholder-driven dialogue and enhanced data, as well as alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
