Latest news with #biochar
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Chippenham road was resurfaced while 'meeting net zero' standards
A street dubbed the "worst road" in a town has become one of the first in the UK to be resurfaced while meeting net zero standards, according to a Road in Chippenham was resurfaced in October, after residents' vehicles suffered damage and discomfort by cracks and it has come to light that the work was part of a trial between Wiltshire Council contractors and academics to product a "net zero" road biochar, a waste product from the biomass industry, Wiltshire Council said the process had increased the cost of the project by 5%. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the process included superheating straw waste, used to power boilers to heat industrial greenhouse, in a vacuum, locking in carbon rather than releasing it into the makes up about 7% of the road surface material. The contractors also used UK-produced steel slag, a by-product of the steel industry, rather than virgin top of the new road surface material was Milepave, which is produced at lower mixing temperatures than traditional Tarmac, requiring less energy and bitumen, and which is derived from crude oil, according to scheme used 871 tonnes of Milepave across 8,216 sq m (about two acres) of road surface, cutting carbon by 40%, equivalent to the carbon emissions of 10,000 litres of diesel, the LDRS road was later sealed with a special asphalt grout that stops water getting into the road surface – making cracks and potholes far less at Aston University in Birmingham are are trialling the new road surface.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ARA Petroleum partners with Sultan Qaboos University in a groundbreaking R&D agreement
Muscat - ARA Petroleum (ARA), the oil & gas exploration and production arm of The Zubair Corporation, has initiated a pioneering research and development agreement with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to explore the transformation of produced saline water from oil and gas operations into sustainable energy byproducts, specifically Biohydrogen and Biochar. The agreement marks a significant step toward addressing environmental challenges in the energy sector through innovation and collaboration. The partnership is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MoHERI), which, through its EJAAD platform, has played a pivotal role in facilitating this industry-academia collaboration. The Ministry's involvement underscores the national commitment to advancing a diversified, knowledge-based economy. The research will be led by experts and graduate students from SQU in collaboration with ARA Petroleum's R&D engineers. ARA will provide funding and technical support for the initiative, aligning with its commitment to sustainable practices and operational efficiency. The study aims to assess the feasibility of converting produced saline water a byproduct of oil extraction into valuable resources that contribute to environmental sustainability. Dr. Omar Al Jaaidi, Vice President of ARA Petroleum and Prof. Dr. Amer Bin Saif Al Hinai, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research attended the ceremony and signed on behalf of the two parties. "This collaboration underscores the power of local expertise and the potential of Oman's younger generation," said Dr. Omar Al Jaaidi, Vice President of ARA Petroleum. "By working with Sultan Qaboos University, we are not only advancing sustainable energy solutions but also empowering the next generation of innovators and researchers to lead the way in addressing global environmental challenges". This collaboration exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in addressing complex environmental challenges and supporting Oman's vision for a sustainable and innovation-driven future. About ARA Petroleum Established in 2014, ARA Petroleum is part of The Zubair Corporation, one of Oman's oldest and most respected business groups. It has broad interests across many sectors throughout the Middle East, Africa and beyond. ARA Petroleum is a dynamic member of the Exploration & Production industry in Oman and Tanzania. The company is a full-cycle E&P company that explores, appraises, develops and produces oil & gas resources in Oman and internationally.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Seaweed farming can support Oman's blue economy, climate goals
MUSCAT: Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is supporting a private-led initiative to explore the feasibility of large-scale seaweed cultivation, aimed at driving the growth of various economic activities related to climate mitigation, sustainable fuels, food security and biodiversity enhancement. Leading the initiative is NTZ Solutions, a local Omani firm focused on delivering innovative solutions in carbon capture, waste management and sustainability — centric human capital development. The company is credited with establishing the GCC's first commercial-scale biochar production facility, currently operational in Barka. With funding support from MedcoEnergi — an Indonesian state-owned energy and natural resources development enterprise — work has commenced on a pilot project designed to assess the overall feasibility and scope of large-scale seaweed cultivation in Oman. Speaking at an energy forum held in Muscat earlier in May, representatives of NTZ Solutions and MedcoEnergi shared insights on seaweed cultivation as an 'innovative nature-based solution' to some of the most urgent global challenges. 'We never imagined seaweed could become a solution to the global crises we're currently facing,' said Johan Despurwantoro, Sustainability and Risk Management Specialist at MedcoEnergi. 'But the question is — why should we return to nature? Because nature-based solutions are not just environmentally relevant but also economically powerful.' According to Despurwantoro, seaweed can contribute to poverty reduction, improve food security and serve as a nutritious food alternative. It can offset carbon emissions by replacing synthetic inputs, enhance ecosystem resilience and directly sequester carbon. Seaweed cultivation, he added, has the potential to unlock an extended value chain — from cultivation and logistics to industrial processing — creating significant employment opportunities at both local and regional levels. At the same time, it can advance Oman's progress on several UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Notably, a six-month pilot project was recently launched by the two partners in collaboration with the Ministry to assess the year-round viability of seaweed cultivation in Oman's coastal waters, Despurwantoro stated. A team of experts from NTZ Solutions and MedcoEnergi is currently evaluating the consistency of cultivation and identifying ideal conditions for selected native species. A key member of the team is Kamaruddin Azis, Project Facilitator at the COMMIT Foundation. In an update on the pilot, Kawther al Harrasi, Programme Manager at NTZ Solutions, revealed that the company has secured a pilot site within the Ministry's research facility at Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat. Of the 12 native seaweed species initially studied, six — Ulva, Codium, Sargassum, Kerva, Hypnea and Gracilaria — were selected for their commercial value. These species are already utilised globally in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agriculture industries, she explained. In the next phase of the project, the focus will shift to scaling up production to support the development of high-value products such as agar, carrageenan, bioplastics and pharmaceutical ingredients. Kawther noted that seaweed can also play a major role in carbon sequestration. In her presentation, she further emphasised the significant knock-on effects of seaweed cultivation for Oman's blue economy growth strategy. Beyond the direct economic benefits, seaweed farming can contribute to job creation, in-country value generation and biodiversity enhancement, she added.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Synagro, CHAR Tech and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works Partner to Test Commercial-Scale Pyrolysis Pilot for PFAS Destruction
Synagro and Partners to Test Commercial-Scale Pyrolysis Pilot for PFAS Destruction, Syngas Recovery and Biochar Production BALTIMORE, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Synagro Technologies, Inc., North America's leading provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics and residuals, is pleased to present a commercial-scale pilot of CHAR Tech's pyrolysis process with CHAR Tech Solutions, a division of CHAR Technologies Ltd., a leading cleantech development and environmental services company, and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW). The demonstration will be held May 9, 2025, at the Synagro Back River Facility at the Baltimore City Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of the Water Environment Federation's Residuals & Biosolids and Innovations in Treatment Technology Conference (RB/ITT25) being held at the Baltimore Convention Center May 6-9, 2025. Synagro, CHAR Tech and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works Partner to Test Commercial-Scale Pyrolysis Pilot for PFAS Destruction "We are excited to feature a demonstration of our commercial-scale pilot of Char Tech's pyrolysis process, leading the industry toward sustainable solutions by proactively addressing customers' future needs," said Pam Racey, Chief Commercial Officer, Synagro, and RB/ITT25 Conference Co-Chair. CHAR Tech's proprietary high-temperature pyrolysis (HTP) technology processes organic material into high-value renewable energy and bioproducts, such as a solid biochar and renewable synthetic gas – syngas. CHAR Tech's HTP system indirectly heats materials in the complete absence of oxygen, and with no oxygen, the material cannot burn and, therefore, should not cause odors. "This project represents a major step forward in tackling one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time," said Andrew White, Chief Executive Officer, CHAR Tech. "DPW is proud to participate in this groundbreaking demonstration, which reflects our commitment to environmental leadership and forward-thinking innovation," said Director Khalil Zaied of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. "By supporting cutting-edge technologies that address PFAS and turn waste into usable resources, we're taking meaningful steps to protect our environment – both for today's residents and for future generations of Baltimoreans." Between May 2025 and December 2025, Synagro and CHAR Tech Solutions will measure, test and evaluate the effectiveness of the HTP process to destroy PFAS chemicals from biosolids. About Synagro Synagro Technologies, Inc. is North America's leading provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics and residuals. We offer a comprehensive suite of environmental services to help ensure water quality, support regenerative agriculture and promote circularity. With the most experienced team in the industry, Synagro leverages innovative technologies to help our customers to clean water, increase organics recycling and have a net positive impact on people and the planet. Visit to learn more.
