ARTi has been sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere for almost a decade. The company is an international company that designs and manufactures top-of-the-line pyrolysis technology and equipment for large-scale biochar production.
Interview with Bernardo Del Campo, CEO of ARTi.
Easy Engineering: A brief description of the company and its activities.
Bernardo Del Campo: Our cutting-edge pyrolysis technology redefines biomass residues and waste management, converting more than 200 organic materials into valuable biochar. Whether it’s agricultural crops, forestry residues, manures, or even industrial waste, our technology can efficiently handle diverse feedstock and generate high-quality biochar.
The system is automated and tailored to various feedstock, ensuring a large scale, premium quality and clean emissions Biochar production, empowering our clients to make a significant global impact.
With a big team with multi academic and cultural backgrounds we are constantly innovating with the mission of creating cool solutions to cool the planet.
E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
B.D.C: In ARTi we have 4 principal areas where we focus on: designing and manufacturing pyrolysis technology, biochar production, sequestering CO2 and R&D projects development/consultancy services.
We have an amazing team of engineers that are in charge of manufacturing reactors which are tailored based on biomass characteristics and the necessities of each client. Starting from the design of the unit, manufacturing each of the spare parts, the automation of the equipment and finishing with the installation of the unit.
To get to manufacture a top-of-the-line pyrolysis reactor we first evaluate the characteristics of each feedstock, with different temperatures and residence times in our laboratory and container reactors. After working together with different laboratories and our clients we define the best pyrolysis conditions to work with each specific feedstock tested. During the 10 years that ARTi has been on the market we have done R&D trials with more than 200 types of feedstocks.
Also, we put a lot of effort on producing a high quality biochar based on oat hulls and wood chips which is pure and safe for organic & conventional farming, with USDA certification as 100% Biobased products and listed in OMRI as Organic certified.
Last but not least, our main purpose is seeking solutions to confront climate change and be aligned with the sustainable development goals presented by the United Nations. This is why we sequester carbon, focus on sustainability and we are working closely with the carbon sequestration community.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
B.D.C: We are constantly innovating with our products and services in order to improve the technology.
developing a more clean and sustainable equipment, but also, we are creating a positive environmental impact.
The automation of the equipment is also a new implementation to our units that includes alarms, remote troubleshooting, data loggins, and due to this we have decreased the man hours.
With the necessity of reducing emissions and making the reactor self- sustained by the recirculation of waste heat, ARTi has also integrated an afterburner to the systems.
On the other side, we have increased the portfolio of products by using biochar. ARTi Biochar filters remove contaminants from ponds and lakes. After being used as a filter, the Biochar is charged with nutrients that can be applied to soils, providing organic carbon, nutrients and microorganisms to boost fertility.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
B.D.C: ARTi counts with a portfolio of reactors and biochar products. Find some ballpark numbers for our reactors. Every reactor is tailored to each of our client’s needs, this is why the price might vary according to the size and equipment needed:
Pilot Activator (10Kg/hr)
A ballpark price it will be ~$200K. It is capable of processing ~5 – 10 kg/hour of biomass on a wet basis. Said equipment is a laboratory version of our commercial units.
1-Train Reactor (4 to 8 tons biomass/day)
A ballpark price for our reactor is ~$750K. It is our smallest unit and is able to operate 24/7. It can process ~4 – 8 tons/day (24 hr basis) of biomass on a wet matter base and produce ~1 – 2 tons/day (~700 ton/year) of biochar under optimal conditions. We are able to manufacture it in ~3 – 4 months.
3-Train Reactor (12 to 24 tons biomass/day)
A ballpark price for our reactor is ~$1.1M. Our three train reactor is able to operate 24/7. It can process ~12 – 24 tons/day (24 hr basis) of biomass on a wet matter base and produce ~3 – 6 tons/day of biochar in optimal conditions. We are able to manufacture it in ~5 – 6 months.
5-Trains Reactor (20 to 40 tons biomass/day)
A ballpark price for our reactor is ~$1.7M. Our five train pyrolysis system is also able to operate 24/7, it can process ~20 – 40 tons/day (24 hr basis) of biomass on a wet matter base and produce ~5 – 10 tons/day (~3,000 ton/year) of biochar in optimal conditions. We are able to manufacture it in ~6 – 7 months.
On the other hand, ARTi biochar is a very stable form of carbon with a highly porous structure. Its internal surface area enhances the nutrient holding-capacity by as much as 20 times that of healthy soil. It also doubles water retention as it absorbs moisture and releases it back into the soil when water availability is less via the pyrolysis process. ARTi´s honeycomb structure provides the perfect housing for beneficial microbes which defends roots and fights off pests. In addition to its incredible soil benefits, ARTi biochar helps reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Biomass, which takes in CO2 from the atmosphere, is transformed via the sustainable process of pyrolysis and locks the carbon into a stable structure that can be stored in the soil for hundreds of years. The biochar for sale comes in many forms, including solid, liquid, and compost varieties. You will be able to purchase the reactor on our website.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
B.D.C: Worldwide, manufacturers of high-quality pyrolysis reactors are very few, and as ARTi we are proud to be pioneers of the production of this technology. However, with the necessity of the world finding a greener planet, we are sure that in the following years the market of pyrolysis reactors will increase.
The biochar market on the other hand is a market that is being explored. We are sure that in the following years the governments will implement measures against fertilizers, due to the large amount of chemicals that are harmful to health and the environment. As a substitute for chemical fertilizers, the Biochar market is set to grow. But it is a challenge for ARTi and other biochar producers to educate consumers about the properties and benefits not only in use but also in the environmental field. Besides this, we also hope that more utilities will be discovered for the use of biochar such as construction, cosmetics and more. Biochar has been studied also for other applications such as carbon black replacement and in concrete applications.
The carbon credit market has increased a lot during the previous years. Carbon markets, which essentially put a price on pollution and create an economic incentive for lowering emissions, can aid in accelerating the transition that is required. They can also contribute to the enormous sums needed to increase resilience. Reason why this market is growing.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
B.D.C: As of ARTi we have experienced an annual growth of 15-20% in the 4 markets: Biochar production units manufacturing, carbon credits, biochar and R&D trials. We expect to have the same growth during the following 5-10 years. In addition, it is important to mention that 90% of our market is from North America and Europe. We highly believe that this is due to government laws, but hopefully for next year’s other governments and companies adopt the same regulations.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
B.D.C: The most requested products today are our reactors. With several benefits offered such as scalability, transportability, automation, customization, ease of use and quality. These are aspects that differentiate us from our competition and the reason why our clients are attracted to us.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
B.D.C: In the present year ARTi is celebrating its 10 years. We have offices in the United States and in Ecuador, with more than 60 employees in more than 5 countries and more than 15 reactors around the world. This year we hope to increase sales of biochar and reactors, and as a company sequester more carbon. In addition, we want to continue to innovate our technology so that we can offer our customers better products and services.