Page 165 - CW E-Magazine (17-6-2025)

News from Abroad

ENABLING DECARBONISATION
Canada’s largest biochar plant inaugurated

A joint venture, equally owned by and bio-fertilisers, and the develop
Canadian firms – decarbonisation spe- ment of circular solutions to reduce
cialist Airex Énergie and forestry firm its customers’ carbon footprint.
Groupe Rémabec – and France’s Suez,
has inaugurated Carbonity, Canada’s This project marks the first step in
first industrial-scale biochar plant, in the ambitious roadmap of Airex Energy
Port-Cartier. and Suez, which aim to build a global
annual biochar production capacity of
The plant will start with a produc- 350-ktpa by 2035 to meet the challenge
tion capacity of 10-ktpa of biochar, addressing a major challenge in sus- of industrial activities’ decarbonisation.
which is expected to triple by the end tainable construction and urban deve- “The inauguration of Carbonity is
of 2026 to become the largest in North lopment. Its production also yields sur- a true industrial milestone for Québec.
America – and one of the largest in the plus energy in the form of steam or py- Airex Energy’s technology, including
world. rolysis oil, which can be used as fuel. our patented CarbonFX and DryFX
solutions, is central to this success, and
Biochar is recognised by the IPCC Carbonity produces carbon-rich it makes us very proud. Our primary
as an effective technology to combat biochar from approximately 58-ktpa mission is to contribute to the decar-
climate change due to its long-term of forest residues from the activities bonization of our economy. This invest-
carbon sequestration capacity. Its multi- of Groupe Rémabec. ment represents Airex Energy’s first
ple benefits also support agricultural step toward scaling global biochar pro-
resilience, sustainable innovation in Carbonity relies on Airex Energy’s duction, a product that will help many
the construction and urban planning technological solutions DryFX and businesses here and abroad achieve net
sectors, and decarbonisation of heavy CarbonFX to produce biochar and zero,” said Michel Gagnon, CEO of
industries. on Suez’s expertise in organic waste Airex Energy and Chair of Carbonity’s
recovery, the production of soil improvers Board.
Produced by high-temperature
pyrolysis of biomass, without oxygen, DEBOTTLENECKING
biochar stabilises carbon in residual Stepan Company expands alpha olefin
biomass sustainably and creates practical
applications in agriculture, construction sulphonates capacity in US
and the energy sector. US-based speciality chemicals firm, detergents, personal care products, clean-
Stepan Company, has raised production ing and industrial applications. AOS is
When used as a soil amendment, capacity for alpha olefin sulphonates ideal for green bathroom cleaners, daily
biochar enhances nutrient and water (AOS) by 25% “through strategic capital shower cleaners, liquid dishwashing
retention, aeration, drainage, and micro- investments and process improvements”. detergents, shampoos, body washes, and
bial activity. It regenerates soil, increases facial cleansers. With rise in demand for
fertiliser efficiency, improves crop The company said initiatives in- sulphate-free products, AOS is a pre-
yields, and aids water drainage – key cluding targeted capital investments ferred choice for formulators. It offers
advantages for the agriculture sector. and process enhancements at its Mills- environmental benefits and produces
It can also be added to livestock feed dale, Illinois; Anaheim, California; and dense, stable foam. AOS is also used in
to promote animal health and reduce Winder, Georgia facilities in the US, oilfield, agriculture, construction, and
methane emissions. have strengthened operational efficiency emulsion polymerisation industries.
delivering increased capacity, greater
When integrated into concrete, flexibility, and enhanced reliability for Stepan said it continues to explore
cement, or asphalt, biochar enhances its customers. improvements to further expand capa-
material performance while signifi- city, develop speciality AOS products,
cantly lowering their carbon footprint – AOS are versatile surfactants used in and enhance quality.

Chemical Weekly June 17, 2025 165

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