BioCarbon Technology Asia

Project Summary

Biocarbon Technologies Asia (a wholly owned subsidiary of Aumkar Plantations Sdn Bhd) approached Onnu to make palm plantation operations greener, circular, and more profitable. Biocarbon Tech already was implementing sustainable technologies for the palm oil industry and partnering with Onnu added biochar to the ecosystem.

By installing two CarboFlow pyrolysis machines, previously underutilised oil palm trunk (OPT) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) are now transformed into high-grade biochar, renewable energy, and carbon credits, creating additional income while reducing environmental harm.

The Project

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Palm oil plantations in Malaysia generate significant volumes of waste, from empty fruit bunches and kernel shells to effluent and old palm trunk. Each year, ageing palm trees are felled to make way for replanting. Traditionally, these trunks, unsuitable for timber or plywood, are left to decompose in the fields, a process that can take up to five years, releasing emissions and occupying valuable land.

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When Biocarbon Technologies approached Onnu, our feasibility study quickly revealed that pyrolysis offered a far more effective solution, both economically and environmentally, than leaving trunks to compost. Now, instead of decomposing in the field, palm trunks are chipped, dewatered, and dried before being fed into two CarboFlow pyrolysis units. The impact of this pyrolysis technology adoption can be seen in three main ways:

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1) Carbon Removal & Biochar – Carbon is permanently locked away in stable biochar, which is applied on-site to cut fertiliser demand and improve soils, as well as sold for agricultural and industrial use.

2) Renewable Energy – The syngas produced is captured and combusted to generate green energy for plantation operations. Through an integrated steam generator, it also provides green electricity to meet local demand.

3) Industrial Inputs – By powering a separate torrefaction system, pyrolysis supports the production of black pellets, an essential clean fuel for the transition away from coal.

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With Onnu’s technology, Biocarbon Technologies has shifted from a linear model of waste disposal to a fully circular system where every output has value. Agricultural residues that were destined to decompose over many years, releasing carbon, now drive soil regeneration, energy independence, and carbon removal.

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By combining environmental gains with operational efficiency, Biocarbon Technologies is proving that palm plantations can be run not only more sustainably, but in a way that actively contributes to climate goals and the green economy.

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Learning and Experience

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Feedstock supply

As with all pyrolysis projects, the consistent provision of uniform feedstock is important and both OPT and EFB are tricky to chip and feed due to their low densities and fibrous nature. Onnu worked with the local team to optimize the process and infeed to ensure efficient preparation of the feedstock to enable smooth and consistent running of the pyrolysis process.

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Pyrolysis process and throughput

The CarboFlow unique feedstock drive was designed to push through variable feedstocks including low-density ones. This approach has worked well, exceeding initial expectations and each unit consistently runs at 850kg/hr of dried feedstock input, increasing the returns to the operation beyond what was forecast.

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Biochar quality

Despite a slightly lower fixed carbon content than woodier feedstocks, both OPT and EFB are producing high quality biochar, which an extremely low H/C ratio and clear of impurities and PAHs. This due to the way that CarboFlow constantly agitates the feedstock during the pyrolysis process and ensures the separation of all the syngas.

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Team training

The local operations team were trained on the system over the course of one week, and with Onnu's remote support when needed, have been successfully running the plant every since. The high level of automation and intuitive controls mean it is straightforward to use, with alerts and fail safes in place to streamline human inputs.

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Carbon Credits

The plant is registered with Puro and the is generating the first 1000 credits after which CORCs will be available for sale from August 2026.