Black is Green Pty Ltd

BiGnews

This page provides a few brief news items about BiG and BiGchar. If you wish to receive more detail concerning  technology developments, case studies and related data, please subscribe to our newsletter.

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Black is Green - Finalist in the 2010 Premier's ClimateSmart Sustainability Award (Press Release)

Mackay-based company, Black is Green, was named a finalist in the Innovation in ClimateSmart Technologies category of the Queensland ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards, at the awards ceremony on Friday night in Brisbane.

On the eve of World Environment Day, the recognition was for BiG’s efforts in developing a patented technology to convert plant and animal wastes into valuable biochar and energy.

Biochar is an agricultural grade of charcoal which provides a host of environmental benefits when applied to soils. These include reduced fertiliser run-off, improved water retention and sustained increases in soil carbon content. Biochar is increasingly recognized for its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously providing commercially attractive benefits to land users. Influential Australians such as Tim Flannery, Malcom Turnbull and Don Burke are some the prominent supporters of biochar.

BiG’s BiGchar technology addresses the challenge to make biochar production economically viable, by making the systems mobile or relocatable, more productive and more efficient than the technologies currently used. BiG’s achievements in these key areas are attracting worldwide interest.

Black is Green co-director Dr. James Joyce commented: “We were pleasantly surprised to have been chosen as one of three finalists from a list of forty Queensland companies, many of whom are recognised leaders in the field of sustainable technologies.”

The Premier’s ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards were established to recognise the achievements of Queensland communities, businesses and industries in reducing carbon emissions, taking action to abate climate change, and improving business sustainability.

Further details on BiGchar technology and BiG’s current activities are available at its website www.bigchar.com.au, or by email on contact@bigchar.com.au.

Download the Press Release here.

View the finalists here.

BiG presses ahead with the roll out of its BiGchar 2200-G

During March and April BiG pressed ahead with refinement, documentation and testing of the first BiGchar 2200-G, a machine tuned for processing chipped municipal green waste.

Agreement in principal for co-manufacture of units in China was reached with the Kunming Light Industry Machinery Company in March. These units will be for distribution throughout Asia. Australian manufacturing will continue for Australian, New Zealand and special projects.

BiG now is actively seeking capable and trustworthy associates to manufacture and/or distribute BiGchar units in North America, Britain, Europe and Asia.

Feb. 2010

BiG's response to the Victorian Government's inquiry into soil carbon sequestration

BiG recently submitted a response to the Victorian Government's inquiry into soil carbon sequestration. This enquiry is examining to pro, cons and economics of biochar in carbon sequestration.

Our submission is available as PDF file. Please click here to open it. (433kb)

To view the submission visit:
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/enrc/inquiries/soil_sequestration/submissions.html

Agreement struck with Renewable Carbon Resources Australia (RCRA) to market BiGchar technology and biochar made from these systems

BiG announced that it has established a relationship with Renewable Carbon Resources Australia (RCRA) to market our mobile pyrolysis equipment in Queensland and retail the BiGchar product. RCRA is an established player in the traditional charcoal market and one of Australia's largest manufacturers of hardwood charcoal products. In addition to promoting BiGchar technology RCRA also will be devoting much attention to educating the public about the benefits of biochar in order to expand the biochar market in Australia.

International Biochar Initiative (IBI) published BiG's Practitioner Profile on their website

The International Biochar Initiative (IBI) recently published an article about BiG on their website (http://www.biochar -international.org/projects/BiGchar). The article provides some history and background of Black is Green Pty Ltd and the BiGchar technology.

Jan. 2010

Funding granted for further technology development

Recently we received advice that we have been successful with an application for a government grant. Unfortunately we can't announce which grant scheme this was awarded under, until the official government announcement is made.

New development site for BiG

In December 2009 we moved into our new development site in South Mackay to continue our technology development and proving work.