Drought and soil degradation are global problems, both for growing trees and for growing food crops. Woodgrow Oy, based in Nivala, is the first in the world to develop a product made from fertilized biochar, which helps to accelerate the growth of seedlings and enhance carbon sequestration.
Biochar is widely used for soil improvement, but it does not contain nutrients. With the method developed by Woodgrow Oy, nutrients are dissolved into water and then added to the biochar, which releases them into the plant in the long term.
Fertilized biochar is already on the market, and the need in Finland alone is great: 150 million trees are planted in our forests every year. Woodgrow Oy’s goal is to increase its production volume and reach even larger customer groups.
In the future, a significant part of Woodgrow Oy’s business will be the sale of licenses to international customers. A similar method is not yet in use elsewhere, which is a significant technological advantage. Improving food security, especially in dry countries, opens up a lot of opportunities for production.
As the development and business progresses, Woodgrow Oy aims to grow its team. The company is currently looking for partners for sales and nternational growth, as well as financing for building a larger equipment base and to hire personnel.
Cooperation is an opportunity to be involved in building profitable business that also creates solutions for climate issues and food security.
Long-term effect
The product’s nutritional supplement lasts 4–8 years
The soil improvement properties of biochar last about 100–1000 years
