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Marlborough, the NZ capital of Biochar?
David Savidan, CEO of Green Circle, discusses converting grape marc and lees into biochar and other carbon-based products to address environmental challenges in viticulture. This circular system reduces waste, enhances soil health, and sequesters carbon, benefiting both the environment and vineyards. The initiative aims to create a powerful circular economy and contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth goals. Savidan sees this innovation as crucial for Marlborough and its wine industry to lead the world in sustainable viticulture practices.
Turning winery waste into carbon in the form of Biochar
The Green Circle and Yealands Wine are collaborating on a project to convert grape waste into biochar, a carbon-rich substance. Biochar holds moisture, enhances soil health, and could be added to animal feed. The process involves pyrolysis, turning organic material into biochar at high temperatures. Scaling up and making biochar affordable are challenges. The initiative aims to address environmental concerns in winemaking and will offset emissions from other production stages to create a circular story for the vineyard, and eventually the Marlborough wine industry.
Biochar ANZBI Report
A comprehensive report on the value of biochar from ANZBI, the Australia New Zealand Biochar Initiative. The survey found that the use of biochar as an animal feed delivers improved cattle health and weight gain, methane emissions reductions and reduced feed costs. It also found that biochar is being used to produce higher quality crop yields. Last it found that by adding small amounts of biochar to chemical fertilisers this has the potential to increase yield, profitability and quality of crops
Turning Grape Waste into Green Gold: The Green Circle’s Biochar Innovation
The Green Circle and Yealands Wine collaborate to convert grape waste into biochar, a carbon-rich substance. Demonstrated during Climate Action Week, the pilot process transforms wood-waste and vine stumps into moisture-retaining biochar, potentially revolutionizing agriculture. Scaling up poses challenges, but the initiative aims to offset emissions in Marlborough’s grape production chain.
