CHAR processes low value waste streams (wood wastes, digestate and biosolids) by heating the materials at high temperature in the complete absence of oxygen. This unique approach called high temperature pyrolysis (“HTP”), simultaneously creates two streams of valuable renewable outputs; biocarbons (biocoal or biochar) and renewable gases (green hydrogen or renewable natural gas).
Biocoal from CHAR is a metallurgical coal drop-in replacement. As steel mills seek to reduce their GHG emissions, replacing the metallurgical coal with biocoal can allow steel mills to be truly carbon neutral.
Green hydrogen from electrolysis is also only as “green” as the electricity used to produce it. Green hydrogen from HTP is truly green, carbon-negative, hydrogen.
PROBLEM ADDRESSED. Waste is generally destined for landfills, or are otherwise left to decay, where they generate GHG emissions. Green hydrogen is currently produced primarily by electrolysis (using electricity to split water), but this method is limited by the available grid infrastructure and green hydrogen is only as “green” as electricity grid used to produce it.
THE MARKET (customer). Waste treatment. Ideal for decarbonizing large industries (such as steel and cement) and sectors (transportation).
SOLUTION. CharTech’s High Temperature Pyrolysis (HTP) technology transforms challenging organic waste streams (biomass, biosolids, digestate) into renewable and valuable outputs. The HTP outputs reduce carbon emissions further by generating carbon sequestering/offsetting biocarbons (biochar), excess heat, and renewable energy.
EVIDENCE/DATA.
TECHNOLOGY AND ORIGINS. While pyrolysis has a long history, CHAR’s process is a carbon negative, closed loop, self-sustaining system. CHAR has published IP, IP pending and in process, as well as trade-secrets.The company was founded in 2011 to while completing his MASc in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto. The initial innovation, SulfaCHAR, utilized HTP to create activated carbons from digestate (a low value “compost” produced from first generation renewable natural gas facilities).
CURRENT APPROACH. Most biomass pyrolysis commercial processes operate on spectrum between pyrolysis and gasification where they attempt to balance air and temperature as opposed to CHAR’s proprietary system of HTP.
MANAGEMENT. LINKEDIN.
Andrew White- CEO
Klim Barabash – P.Eng, Director
Mark Korol, Chief Financial Officer
FINANCE. The modest footprint (9500 sf) and investment of 30 million USD is required to build a plant, with a 3-year return on investment. The company is looking to raise $20 million to expand and for international expansion. Approximately $12M USD has been invested in the company primarily by a small group of Canadian energy executives and venture investors and from grants from the Canadian government. This closely held company is publicly traded on the Toronto Venture Exchange. Market Cap approximately $25 million. Approximately 17% is owned by insiders.
IMPACT. CHAR could have a significant impact on the reduction of GHG emissions and acceleration of the low-carbon, green hydrogen market by processing wastes and residuals without the limitations of the electricity grid. As steel mills seek to reduce their GHG emissions, replacing the metallurgical coal with biocoal can allow steel mills to be truly carbon neutral.
CURRENT STATUS. MILESTONES. CHAR has two plants under construction, one in partnership with Hitachi Zosen Inova, and a second in Canada that will be a build, own, operate facility. CHAR has five additional plants under development. Trailing 12-month revenues of ~ 1.5 million and over $100 million USD in project pipeline.
CONTACT.
CHAR Technologies
www.CHARtechnologies.com
403-789 Don Mills Rd
Toronto, Ontario
M3C 1T5
1 (800) 323-4937
Andrew White – CEO andrew.white@chartechnologies.com
Mark Korol – Chief Financial m.korol@chartechnologies.com
(866) 521-3654