Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a BiGchar machine and for how much?
In Australia you can buy a BiGchar machine (basic cost around A$250,000 for a BiGchar 2200). Smaller units range down in price to about A$160,000 for a mobile BiGchar 1500 and up in price to more than A$900,000 for a fixed site BiGchar 4800.

We also offer our main commercial unit, the BiGchar 2200, in Australia on a 48 month lease. Other options can be discussed.

Outside Australia you may be able to buy a BiGchar machine exported from Australia if we are confident that you will protect our patent and IP. To improve the situation we are actively seeking able and reliable manufacturing licensees and distributors to protect our patent and IP in order to permit prudent distribution in Britain, Europe, North America and Asia.

Can I buy BiGchar and for how much?
If you are in Australia, yes.

BiGchar is distributed through Renewable Carbon Resources Australia (RCRA) alongside their own range of hardwood biochar products. Please contact Karen at:

RCRA
GPO Box 111
Brisbane QLD, 4001

Phone: (07) 3010 9755
Fax: (07) 3010 9001
Email: info@rcra.com.au
Web: www.rcra.com.au

Call us if you want to use a BiGchar mobile plant to make your own biochar from your own feedstock.

Can I license the BiGchar technology?
BiG is willing to license its technology only outside of Australia to potential partners, but only those with a proven track record in the biochar or agricultural industry. Please contact us to discuss.

Can I invest in BiG?
BiG is not currently seeking direct investment in the company. However, we are actively seeking suitable partners in Australia or elsewhere who are willing to invest in the development of projects that utilise the BiGchar technology and its products.

Inside Australia such a relationship is likely to involve marrying BiGchar equipment to a waste management problem (especially municipal or similarly large waste processing facilities), an energy production or saving situation (municipal or major industrial), a major fuel consumption situation (char fuel, torrefied fuel, flue heat and/or pyrolysis gas for major boilers), major, ongoing rehabilitation situations (e.g. open cut mine rehabilitation) or large scale agricultural users or commercial distributers of soil improvers and related products.

Outside Australia it is more likely that associated investment would involve producing Bigchar equipment under licence and/or distributing BiGchar equipment sourced from Australia or from an off-shore manufacturing base. Exclusive or limited licences are available for suitable companies.

Can I buy plans and build my own BiGchar unit?
As an individual, no. BiG’s patented technology is currently offered for direct sale or via a serviced lease in Australia, or under limited situations by export from Australia. It is necessary to ensure that users are properly trained and supported and that the technology is used responsibly and with respect for its patent and IP.

Only an acceptable overseas business might be able to secure the right to build their own BiGchar units, once they have secured the necessary licence from BiG.

Is BiGchar activated carbon?
No. An activation step is required. BiG can offer a steam activation process to produce activated carbon. Please contact us to discuss.

Isn’t slow pyrolysis recommended for biochar?
The char from fast pyrolysis has different characteristics to that from slow pyrolysis, but this does not detract from its use as a soil improver. In many cases fast pyrolysis confers useful advantages, such as:

Better retention of plant nutrients such as nitrogen, sulphur and minerals in the char, as opposed to losing these into the off-gases where they become potential air pollutants.
Better retention of total carbon (providing a more immediate benefit useful for soils poor in organic carbon).
A reduction in the potential to form aromatic organic compounds, which can be toxic to soil organisms.

Chars from fast pyrolysis contain more volatile carbon than from slow pyrolysis. This is mostly in the form of simple sugars. These provide food for microbes in carbon depleted soils. This process then opens up the surface area of the residual carbon/inorganic matrix for microbes to live in.

BiGchar units can be operated to produce chars anywhere from a high yield moderately alkaline char with moderate surface area, to a significantly alkaline char with higher initial surface area. The trade-offs are in yield and off-gas emissions of nitrogen, sulphur and other potential nutrients.

Does charcoal production threaten native forests and take land away from food crops?
The lease and sale terms for BiG’s technologies do not permit the use of the units for the processing of native forest timber other than material derived from responsible forest management practices. BiGchar technologies are intended to complement food crop cycles rather than replace them, by providing the means to returning valuable carbon and nutrients to the soil in a sustainable manner.

Are the off-gases from the charcoal process utilised?
The standard BiGchar mobile unit uses some of the off-gases to run the process. The rest are burnt off cleanly. In some cases, especially fixed applications, it is possible to make use of the off-gases to generate useful heat, to run engines and even to generate electricity. These all add costs and complication, so they must be evaluated and justified for the specific circumstances. Please contact BiG to discuss cogeneration and other off-gas utilisation options.