The first CO2-negative biofuel – from Germany

The Berlin start-up Carbon Farming has recently made a breakthrough in fuel production. Because BeyondZero is supposed to be that be the world's first CO2-negative biofuel.

The year 2024 will also be marked by climate change. Some measures already seem to be bearing fruit and emissions are falling. Nevertheless, there is still a long way to go. If we want to be climate neutral in just over 20 years, further reforms are needed in many areas. One example is the logistics sector.

After all, freight transport emits around ten million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. But that could change soon. A development from Berlin could mark significant progress in the transport transition. The Carbon Farming company recently announced the production of a CO2-negative biofuel.

CO2-negative biofuel absorbs more carbon dioxide than it emits

The fuel is designed to absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere over its entire life cycle than is released during combustion. A biogas plant produces methane, which is fed into the local network. The gas is then available at filling stations as natural gas for corresponding vehicles.

The fermentation residues created during production are burned in an oven during what is known as pyrolysis. As a result, biochar is created. The carbon bound in it is so stable that it no longer reacts with oxygen and is therefore stored for over 1,000 years.

Partner companies then either store the biochar underground or use it in agriculture as feed charcoal.

The first plant will produce 6,700 liters of biofuel from 2026

Carbon Farming's first plant is scheduled to be built in Schleswig-Holstein in 2025. Ideally, production will be around 6,700 liters of biofuel annually from 2026. This roughly covers the needs of 300 large trucks and at the same time offsets over 75,000 tons of CO₂ per year.

The agricultural benefits of biochar are also relatively interesting. According to the company, this enables agricultural yields to be increased by up to 15 percent. This means that carbon farming could not only be a breakthrough in the fuel industry, but also in agriculture.

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