Come and find out about biochar and meet the leader too in Ludlow

Shropshire Council is inviting residents and businesses to find out more about the benefits of biochar, and its ambitions to invest in creating it at a special drop-in event at Ludlow Library early next month (Wednesday 6 November 2024).

As many will know, the council is investing £2 million in locally manufactured biochar producing pyrolysis plants. The technology has been around for many years but its potential to create biochar to sequester carbon has only recently been identified. Investment in the technology is set to accelerate a new green economy for Shropshire and the Marches Forward Partnership area.

As a rural and agricultural county, Shropshire can provide the feedstock material required and also utilise the biochar product for purposes beneficial to local agriculture. Consequently, the council believes that Shropshire can be at the forefront in developing the biochar market, whilst also generating revenue from the sale of carbon credits to help fund provision of essential local services.

As well as needing to reduce carbon emissions, there is also a need to remove around 4 Gigatonnes of Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year by 2050.  The council’s investment in pyrolysis technology is part of the plan to help mitigate climate change.

The council’s first investment is now in place for one pyrolysis unit, currently being built by Woodtek Engineering Ltd on Caebardd farm in Powys. It is expected that this will be operational later this year (2024).

However, the council also has a second site under consideration for biochar production at the former anaerobic digestion (AD) plant on Coder Road Business Park, on the outskirts of Ludlow. It hopes to submit a planning application for this site at the end of November 2024.

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said:

“The creation of biochar is an innovative and sustainable way to reduce net carbon emissions and create value from waste. We’re therefore excited to be making such significant progress.

“We know it’s new to many, so we’re inviting anyone who’s interested to come along to Ludlow Library to find out more about the benefits of biochar, our ambitions, and answer any questions you may have.”

The event will take place at the library from 2pm until 5pm, and will also offer those attending the chance to meet the council’s Leader, Lezley Picton and talk about making Shropshire an even better place.

For further information about biochar from pyrolysis, people can visit the council’s website here:  Biochar from pyrolysis | Shropshire Council

While the council faces significant financial challenges, the money being used to invest in the biochar project is coming from the council’s capital budget. It is not allowed to use its capital budget to pay for the delivery of services, it’s money that it must use to invest in projects that support economic, housing and population growth. And this is one of them.