Project Development
Green Development, RI, USA
- Project Development
Goal
Green Development wished to expand its activities in the green economy beyond its existing wind and solar facilities by adding the production of biochar to its portfolio. The company needed support as to the strategic development of the project, namely the choice of the feedstock type, scale and technology supplier.
Geca’s role and impact
With Geca’s support, the company has selected VOW’s Biogreen technology to transform waste material into biochar and heat. The $27M USD project is expected to be commissioned in 2025. More information.
Women producers of shea butter, Burkina Faso
- Project Development
Goal
Production of shea butter requires energy for cooking, which comes from wood or charcoal bought at a high price, while chia wastes are burnt or left to decompose. The association of women producers of shea butter wished to increase their resilience to climate change, independence and profitability through training and production of biochar for cooking.
Geca’s role and impact
In partnership with the CECI and local organizations, Geca designed and trained the community to manufacture and operate pyrolyzers and produce and use biochar. The association is now transforming chia waste into biochar in 3 regions of Burkina Faso, affecting more than 100 women. They sell the surplus of biochar for local agriculture, increasing their profitability. More information.
Elkem Metal, QC, Canada
- Project Development
Goal
Replacement of fossil coke by biogenic coke is new. While producing biocoke, a co-product, pyrolytic liquid, is generated, requiring post-treatment and the development of a market.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca provided a market study to Elkem for the ingredients in the pyrolytic liquids and suggestions for post-treatment to extract the most valuable products in this liquid. The project may save thousands of gallons of fossil-based chemicals by the replacement of these bio-sourced chemicals.
Demio, France
- Project Development
Goal
Demio decided it would purchase a Chinese pyrolysis technology, but knew there were some elements that had to be reviewed to ensure project installation success. Demio wanted a risk analysis with mitigations to accelerate installation, commissioning and production.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca ran an in-depth technical risks assessment with mitigations. Through a collaboration with a local engineering company and contractor, the facility was successfully installed, entered production and adhered to the French regulations in less than 6 months.
Carbon Removal
Oregon Biochar (OBS), OR, USA
- Carbon Removal
Goal
Biomass One is an innovation leader in US biomass power plants. The company has started Oregon Biochar to produce biochar through system modifications and wished to enter the carbon market in 2020.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca developed the carbon removal project under Puro.earth and the project was certified in 2021 as the first commercial biochar CDR project in America. Since 2021, Geca handles all the certification and commercialization of the projects’ CDR, enabling OBS to increase its revenues by more than 25%. OBS is now one of the most sought after project in the biochar CDR market and consistently outperforms price indices.
Zurich Insurance Group
- Carbon Removal
Goal
Zurich Insurance, as a global leader in sustainability and carbon removal, faces the critical challenge of sourcing high-quality carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects to meet its ambitious net-zero goals. Ensuring the integrity and quality of these projects is essential to building trust and achieving tangible environmental impact.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca has partnered with Zurich Insurance facilitating access to exceptional biochar projects. We have secured offtake agreements for three projects that meet Zurich’s needs and high quality criteria, through innovative meaningful climate action solutions, reinforcing Zurich’s unwavering commitment to climate change, enabling at least one project to survive th which would not have been possible without Zurich’s support.
Nulife GreenTech
- Carbon Removal
Goal
With a new patented HTL technology turning wastes into bio-oil, Nulife was looking to integrate the CDR market, build a PDD and enter offtake agreements with buyers.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca has provided strategic collaboration and guidance, technical support for the project’s development and commercialization. Nulife has grown in notoriety in the CDR space, attracting the interest of large corporates and securing a spot on Frontier’s coveted 2024 pre-purchase round.
View Nulife’s website.
JPMorgan Chase
- Carbon Removal
Goal
As a leader in sustainable finance, JPMorgan Chase recognizes the urgency to adopt CDR in its portfolio to support its net-zero commitments. Identifying and investing in pioneering projects with proven environmental integrity is essential to achieving meaningful and scalable climate impact.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca collaborates with JPMorgan Chase to source and implement biochar-based CDR projects, positioning the bank as an early adopter in the market. JPMorgan Chase’s ongoing support for some projects in Geca’s portfolio has enable producers to scale their production and obtain additional support for expansion, removing more carbon dioxide.
Watershed
- Carbon Removal
Goal
Watershed aims to empower companies to achieve their sustainability goals by providing high-quality carbon credits. By diligencing and proposing innovative and high-quality carbon removal solutions, Watershed drives significant environmental impact and supports their clients’ transition to reach their engagement and net-zero goals.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca collaborates with Watershed to source and implement biochar-based carbon removal (BCR) projects since 2021. Watershed has been an ongoing purchase partner, offering their clients top-quality carbon removal solutions, while supporting the expansion and scalability of Geca’s client’s projects.
Strategic Decision Making
Combustion Expert, QC, Canada
- Strategic Decision Making
Goal
Already expert in manufacturing biomass combustion equipment, the company was considering the production of biochar using pyrolysis. They asked Geca for a biochar market study.
Geca’s role and impact
Initially, the company wanted to become a producer of biochar. Through our work together, Geca developed a strategy to exploit their expertise in manufacturing biomass thermal processes, enriching the service offer in the pyrolysis industry. Today, Combustion Expert is actively looking to manufacture equipment in the sector.
Biocarbon Industries, Belgium
- Strategic Decision Making
Goal
Production of biocoal from biomass generates large proportion of condensable gases. For an easier sell of its technology, the company wanted to develop markets for the pyrolytic liquids it generates.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca supported the company in providing strategic insights for the post-treatment and commercialization of its liquid products in different countries, which increases the attractiveness of its technology.
Bioway, Namibia
- Strategic Decision Making
Goal
Bioway investigated the opportunity to add biochar and CDR business to existing and future charcoal production in Namibia. The company did not know how to approach the sector nor the risks related with the opportunity.
Geca’s role and impact
Geca delved into the current status of the operations in Namibia. The results highlighted the opportunity to integrate biochar in existing logistics and brought to light challenges that need to be solved before building out facilities. The company reported saving 12 months by working with Geca.
