Project summary
A carbon removal project was initiated in North Thailand at the Suan Lahu coffee plantation in collaboration between Phi Suea House, KORA Climate Co., Ltd., and Suan Lahu Coffee Company. The project aimed to turn farm and plantation biomass residues into biochar, tackling climate change by removing a verifiable amount of CO2, approximately 25 tCO2e, from the atmosphere through biochar production , as well as improving the community’s livelihood with income from carbon removal through biochar production and soil application.
In December 2024, the project started by running initial tests, training local staff at Suan Lahu to produce biochar, and monitoring biochar output and socio-economic benefits. This project was co-funded by Phi Suea House, which allowed the purchase of 3 new Kon-Tiki kilns and 3 Phrae type kilns (wood vinegar kilns). The biochar was derived from pyrolysing agricultural residues at the Suan Lahu Coffee Farm, such as lychee clippings, broken trees and bamboo waste. To ensure financial sustainability, a benefit sharing agreement between KORA Climate and Suan Lahu was made to cover additional operational costs.
The biochar producers at Suan Lahu began collecting feedstock and pyrolyzing biochar, while continuing their primary responsibilities, including managing the coffee farm, maintaining their agroforestry system, and hosting farm tours for visitors. On 17 December 2025, after a production period of 13 months, KORA Climate and Suan Lahu had produced a total of 8.63 tons biochar dry matter, derived from 22.03 tons of feedstock (lychee 88.8%, Chan Thong Thed 10.7%, and bamboo 0.5%) from Suan Lahu farm residue. This production corresponds to 25.17 tCO2e, which means the project successfully achieved its ambitious carbon removal target.
The biochar produced in the project has been applied for soil improvement at the coffee plantation during the coffee cultivation cycle since June 2025. This marked the start of actual long-term carbon storage in the soil of the Suan Lahu coffee plantation.
Raising awareness and disseminating knowledge of CO2 removal from biochar production through media, events, etc. was another intention of the project. Over the year, we have had farm visits, conducted biochar trainings, presented results at the Green Hydrogen Summit (Chiang Mai, January 2025), participated in the Thai Biochar Consortium launch event and Open Burning Prevention Roundtable, and organized biochar Kon-Tiki kiln demonstrations.
During the biochar production we have experienced some challenges, whichwe will continue to address in our planned new biochar activities.
Biochar Production and Data Collection
Training and exchanging knowledge with local farmers
Applied for soil improvement at the coffee plantation
