MASH Makes Biochar

MASH Makes has developed an innovative way to transform agricultural waste in India into something incredibly valuable for the planet: biochar. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance made from crop residues. When added to soil, it captures and stores carbon in a stable form that remains sequestered for over a century, making it an enduring and permanent tool in the fight against climate change.

This project centers around producing high-quality EBC AgroOrganic biochar from agricultural waste collected from Indian fields using a custom-built, high-tech pyrolysis machine. This process transforms crop residues into valuable biochar and bio-oil byproducts. The approach is eco-friendly and self-sustaining, using heat generated by the pyrolysis reaction to power itself. It features high-temperature reactors that ensure the creation of stable, carbon-rich biochar, automated feedstock handling systems for efficient production, and advanced emissions controls that minimize environmental impact. With these capabilities, MASH Makes is able to offer consistent quality while maintaining environmental integrity, ultimately supporting sustainable agriculture and effective carbon removal.

The biochar produced by this project helps lock carbon away in the soil and in building materials. When used as a soil conditioner, biochar enhances crop growth by improving the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients, balancing pH levels, and reducing harmful toxins. This makes it particularly beneficial for restoring depleted soils, supporting healthier ecosystems, and increasing agricultural productivity. Additionally, biochar can be used as an additive in construction materials such as bricks and plaster. In this role, it functions as an insulator and helps regulate indoor humidity, contributing to energy efficiency in buildings.

MASH Makes' commitment to innovation is demonstrated through its Research and Development (R&D) initiatives, which drive continuous improvement in biochar production and carbon removal technologies. Their R&D efforts focus on refining pyrolysis technology to enhance energy efficiency, scalability, and the quality of biochar. The team collaborates with agricultural and environmental research institutions to conduct advanced soil impact studies, examining the long-term effects of biochar across various soil types and climates. This research is especially critical in regions like India that are prone to drought, as it helps identify how biochar can best improve soil fertility, crop yields, and water retention. In parallel, MASH Makes is working to scale carbon removal verification by supporting the development of rigorous monitoring tools. Their collaboration with partners in this space is helping to refine carbon verification standards and set benchmarks for accurate, reliable carbon removal certification.

Robust monitoring practices are in place to ensure that the carbon captured by MASH Makes remains out of the atmosphere. Their biochar is certified by the European Biochar Certificate (EBC), which includes annual third-party audits to confirm its quality and verify the carbon stored.

By supporting this project, you are helping to prevent agricultural waste from being burned—a practice that releases significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. Instead, MASH Makes converts that waste into a stable carbon store that enhances soil health and contributes to the development of sustainable building materials. In India, where the organization actively operates, the effects of climate change are severely degrading soil quality, posing serious challenges to agriculture. Each carbon removal credit you purchase supports efforts that store carbon in the ground for hundreds or even thousands of years, restore soil health in regions most affected by climate change, and drive impactful climate action while fostering healthier ecosystems.

Every credit purchased contributes to MASH Makes’ broader plan to scale operations by placing pyrolysis machines close to biomass sources throughout the global South. This distributed model allows for the transformation of agricultural waste into climate solutions at the source, amplifying the environmental benefits and helping to build a more sustainable future.