When combine harvesters sail through tall corn fields, they perform a critical task in modern agriculture. Their rotating blades slice through stalks, filtering the corn into the machine’s mouth, where spinning cylinders separate the kernels from the husk and stems. While this process efficiently collects the edible parts of the crop, it also leaves behind a significant amount of corn residue—stalks and husks—that, until recently, was seen as mere waste. However, this byproduct may hold the key to addressing climate change challenges.
In September, the University of Utah’s Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy recognized the potential of this agricultural residue by awarding Texas-based startup Applied Carbon with its $500,000 Wilkes Climate Launch Prize. The company is pioneering mobile farm technology that transforms crop waste into biochar, a soil additive that not only reduces the need for fertilizers but also sequesters carbon in the soil. William Anderegg, director of the Wilkes Center, emphasized the scalability of Applied Carbon’s technology, highlighting its potential to be implemented across various agricultural fields in the coming years.
Applied Carbon’s CEO and co-founder, Jason Aramburu, expressed gratitude for the prize, noting the funding gap that often hampers startups in this sector. The prize will enable the company to increase its production of biochar machines, known as mobile pyrolizers, which operate at high temperatures without oxygen to convert agricultural waste into a stable carbon form. Currently, Applied Carbon is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to test its technology on approximately 4,000 acres of corn in Texas. The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of biochar in improving soil quality while potentially removing 100,000 tons of carbon from the atmosphere by 2026.
Biochar itself is produced through a process called pyrolysis, which not only creates a charcoal-like substance from biomass waste but also ensures carbon is stored in a stable form for hundreds of years. This characteristic makes biochar an appealing alternative to other climate solutions, such as tree planting, which faces risks from environmental changes. The application of biochar at a rate of 10 tons per acre over 30 years could theoretically sequester more carbon than has been released into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution. While the practicality of such a scenario is debated, it underscores the potential impact of biochar on climate mitigation.
Applied Carbon’s approach differs from traditional biochar production methods, as it can process both agricultural and forestry waste. Aramburu has indicated interest in expanding operations to regions like Utah, where forestry waste could be converted into biochar, aiding fire prevention efforts while also addressing agricultural needs. Despite the promise of this technology, questions remain regarding its economic viability for farmers. ValJay Rigby, president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, acknowledged the importance of innovation in agriculture while noting that he was unaware of any farmers currently utilizing Applied Carbon’s product.
As the company works to scale its technology, it faces challenges in integrating the mobile pyrolizers into the fast-paced harvesting process without disrupting farmers’ operations. However, early feedback from farmers has been encouraging, with reports of significant yield increases when using biochar. The potential for environmental benefits, combined with improved agricultural productivity, positions Applied Carbon’s technology as a compelling solution in the ongoing fight against climate change.
