Open Access

Natalia Colonese Fernandes

• COAGRO Usina, a major Brazilian sugarcane producer with 8,000 hectares under culti-vation, generates approximately 168,933.6 tonnes of bagasse annually, of which 22% is currently unutilized. Transforming this residual biomass into biochar offers a strategic opportunity for waste valorization, climate change mitigation, and regenerative agricul-ture. This study evaluates the technical, environmental, and commercial viability of bagasse-to-biochar conversion. A comprehensive literature review compiled 48 pyrolysis scenar-ios, assessing key parameters and outputs, including lower heating value (LHV), ele-mental composition (C, H, N, O, S, ash), and biochar characteristics such as pH, surface area, conductivity, volatile matter, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). A regression model identified 450 °C as an optimal pyrolysis temperature balancing yield and quality, despite data limitations. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were quantified for two pyrolysis scenarios—a Re-genis pilot plant and a potential full-scale facility at COAGRO—using AMS III.L, EBC C-Sink, and preliminary Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies. While AMS III.L and Verra’s VM0044 produced the highest estimates due to conservative assumptions, they still demonstrated emissions reductions above 78% when biochar displaced fossil coke. Certification schemes were compared using tailored key performance indicators (KPIs). Puro.earth emerged as the most suitable standard for COAGRO, scoring 51 out of 60 and standing out as the only platform actively listing biochar-based carbon credit pro-jects. With carbon credits valued between $100–$200 per tCO₂eq, biochar offers strong market potential. These findings highlight sugarcane bagasse biochar as a scalable, climate-positive so-lution aligned with both regenerative agriculture goals and voluntary carbon market mechanisms.