Meva Energy’s biochar, produced at our Kisa plant, is now certified under the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) – Europe’s leading standard for sustainable and transparent biochar production.
With this certification, the production is confirmed to meet strict European standards for quality, transparency, and environmental performance. As Emma Arvidsson, Product Manager Biochar & Carbon Removal at Meva Energy, puts it:
“Achieving EBC certification is an important milestone for Meva Energy. It’s a recognition of the rigorous approach we take to sourcing, producing, and handling biochar throughout the entire value chain.”
What is biochar?
Biochar is a carbon-rich material made by heating biomass such as sawdust, wood residues, or other organic by-products at high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment. Instead of burning the material and releasing carbon dioxide, the process transforms it into a stable form of carbon. The result is a black, lightweight material with a highly porous structure and very large internal surface area. That structure allows it to act like a sponge – holding water, nutrients, and microorganisms in place.
Biochar is very stable, where the carbon it contains does not easily break down. When added to soil, it can remain there for hundreds of years, effectively locking carbon away instead of letting it return to the atmosphere. This makes biochar both a practical material and a long-term climate solution, where it can be used in several ways:
- Improving soil structure – makes soil more stable and easier for roots to grow
- Increasing water retention – helps soil hold moisture over time
- Supporting microbial life – creates a habitat for beneficial microorganisms
- Storing carbon long-term – keeps carbon locked in the ground for hundreds of years
- Carbon removal – provides a measurable way to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere
- Replacing fossil materials – can substitute fossil coal in certain industrial processes
What is the European Biochar Certificate (EBC)?
The European Biochar Certificate (EBC) is Europe’s leading system for certifying biochar. It was developed to bring clarity and control to how biochar is produced, tested, and used. It defines what biochar is, how it should be made, and what requirements it must meet before it can be used in areas like agriculture or industry.
The certification is voluntary across most of Europe, but widely recognized as the benchmark for high-quality, sustainable biochar. In some countries, such as Switzerland, it is even required for certain uses.
Why the EBC certification is so important
EBC is based on measurable criteria and independent verification, where to become certified, your biochar production must follow strict rules covering:
- Feedstock sourcing – only approved, sustainably sourced biomass can be used
- Production process – temperature, emissions, and process stability must be controlled
- Material quality – the biochar is tested for carbon content, contaminants, and physical properties
- Traceability – each production batch is tracked, sampled, and documented
- Environmental performance – emissions and overall climate impact must meet defined limits
Each batch of biochar is sampled and analyzed by accredited laboratories, and production sites are inspected by independent third parties before certification is granted. One of the key roles of the EBC is to make sure that biochar delivers real, verifiable benefits. The standard ensures that:
- The final product is safe for its intended use, whether in soil, industry, or other applications
- Harmful substances such as heavy metals or organic pollutants are kept below strict limits
- Emissions from the production process are controlled
- The carbon stored in the biochar is stable over time
Meva Energy’s biochar in Kisa
At Meva Energy’s Kisa plant, biochar is produced as a natural part of our renewable energy process. We use locally sourced biogenic residues from nearby sawmills and process industries – materials that would otherwise have low value or go to waste.
Through thermochemical gasification, these residues are converted into renewable biogas. At the same time, high-quality biochar is formed as a by-product. Because production takes place close to the source of the raw material, transport is minimized. This reduces emissions and strengthens a local circular system where waste streams become valuable resources.
What the EBC certification means for our biochar
The EBC certification confirms that the biochar produced in Kisa meets strict European criteria for:
- Quality and purity
- Traceability throughout the value chain
- Controlled and low emissions during production
- Verified climate impact and carbon storage
It is an external validation of how we work; from sourcing raw materials to producing and handling the final product. With EBC certified biochar, Meva Energy joins a group of European producers delivering verified biochar for both environmental and industrial use. Whether applied to soil or used as a renewable material in industry, biochar offers a way to store carbon while creating practical value. The certification ensures that this value is both measurable, and transparent.
Want to learn more about our biochar?
Get in touch with us or read more about biochar on our product page.