A Spanish company, Ingelia, has managed to develop biochar from organic waste, such as sewage and compost, that could potentially become a sustainable alternative to standard coal used in energy production. Despite having the same potential energy production as standard coal, this newfound fuel has a zero CO2 emissions rate. By 2022, the company hopes to replace 220,000 tons of coal with its biochar.
The company’s founder, Marisa Hernández, developed the process of turning sewage and organic waste into fuel 10 years ago and says it could be adapted in the future to replace battery and even plastic materials as well. The process, which removes harmful wastes such as nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine and the byproduct smell, can be contained so plants can be placed in populated or urban areas.
Sewage plants in Italy and Belgium have already begin to implement the technology and the company is hoping to capture 3% of the European waste market by 2022.
Read the full story below to learn more about the waste conversion process and its implementation possibilities.
