In Brazil, low-productivity cattle ranching is a leading driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss. Over 70% of the country's pastureland is degraded, supporting fewer than one animal per hectare.
Biochar has proven effective in restoring these degraded soils. Applied to these pastures, it has boosted Brachiaria grass productivity by 27%, improved macronutrient availability, reduced soil acidity, and locked away carbon, restoring degraded land while working as climate mitigation.
Aperam BioEnergia is also the first company in Brazil authorised to trade Carbon Capture and Storage (CORC) credits on Puro.earth.
Biochar is a stable, carbon-rich material made by heating plant residues to 350-1000°C with little oxygen. It locks carbon into solid form long-term and boosts soil nutrients and plant productivity.
The project
The Aperam BioEnergia biochar project is situated in Capelinha, Brazil. The main objective of the project is the production of charcoal and sustainable forest management. The initiative transforms forest residues into a valuable climate solution. The feedstock is sourced primarily from FSC-certified eucalyptus plantations owned and managed by BIO, supplied as logs for char used in Aperam's steel manufacturing (ASA) process, alongside forestry residues: branches, leaves, and roots. The waste material is transported to one of Aperam's six production units, where it undergoes pyrolysis to produce biochar. The biochar is applied to soil, delivering both durable carbon removal and soil improvement benefits. Aperam BioEnergia currently has capacity to remove approximately 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Follow the latest milestones and updates from this project.
The Aperam BioEnergia project supports climate action by converting biomass residues into biochar, a stable form of carbon that remains locked in soils for hundreds to thousands of years. This process prevents the release of CO₂ that would otherwise occur through decomposition or burning.
The application of biochar as a soil amendment enhances key soil properties, including organic matter content, fertility, and cohesion, leading to improved forest and crop productivity. It also increases the soil’s water retention capacity, reducing rapid evaporation and promoting more stable and sustained replenishment of nearby water sources. These improvements contribute to healthier ecosystems and more resilient landscapes.
Aperam BioEnergia supports local communities by donating biochar to social development programs, helping smallholder farmers improve crop productivity. This initiative strengthens food security, boosts incomes, and contributes to broader social and economic development in the region.
This project supports SDG 13 by reducing emissions through carbon sequestration and sustainable biochar production.
These partners help deliver the project and verify its impact.
