Defossilising Europe’s Metallurgical Sector: Biochar's Strategic Role

Europe's metallurgical sector is vital to its economy and strategic autonomy, yet it remains heavily dependent on fossil coal.While electrification and hydrogen can reduce emissions, many metallurgical processes still require solid carbon, making full decarbonization technically unfeasible.This highlights the urgent need for defossilization,replacing fossil carbon with renewable alternatives.

This Biochar Europe's (BCE) white paper addresses how biochar, produced via pyrolysis, serves as the "first and last step" on the path to a climate-neutral and competitive metallurgical industry.

Why Biochar is the Key to Defossilization

As a deployable, locally produced substitute for fossil coal, biochar is the long-term solution for industries that cannot abate the use of solid/physical carbon.The paper explores how modern pyrolysis facilities function as advanced biorefineries, producing tailorable biochar alongside valuable heat and electricity.

But how does this transition work in practice? The white paper delves into critical questions, including:

• Silicon and Ferroalloys: How can replacing coal with biochar cut direct CO₂ emissions by up to 90% in silicon production?

• The Economic Dilemma: What is the "classic chicken-and-egg problem" preventing industrial users from signing long-term offtake agreements?

• The Carbon Price Factor: At what projected EU ETS price does biochar become a financially competitive alternative for different metallurgical applications?

A Roadmap for Policy Action

The adoption of biochar is currently limited by economic and structural barriers.To unlock its potential, the white paper outlines key policy priorities for the European Union, such as creating a level playing field for renewable carbon and ensuring a sustainable biomass supply through the principle of cascading use.

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