Sitos Group, a California-based startup, will unveil advanced carbon removal technology with ReGen Monterey on Friday, July 21 at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to tour a groundbreaking pyrolysis pilot study facility located at ReGen Monterey, 14201 Del Monte Blvd. (1.5 miles north of Marina off Highway 1).
A pilot biochar production plant will heat wood byproducts in a low-oxygen environment, creating a charcoal-like substance that can sequester carbon and improve soil health for local farms. When biochar is mixed with compost and applied to farmland, it mimics coral reefs, acting as a reservoir for essential nutrients, microorganisms, and water—a crucial resource in drought-stricken California. The highly porous nature of biochar offers an ideal habitat for a diverse range of beneficial soil microorganisms, thereby promoting optimal soil and plant health, according to the USDA.
Sitos Group’s pilot project is opportunely located at ReGen Monterey’s facility, which is surrounded by Monterey County’s famed and expansive agriculture industry, along with access to excess forestry byproducts to produce the biochar.
“ReGen Monterey is proud to partner with the Sitos Group on this exciting opportunity to study new waste management innovations, support local farms and fight climate change,” said Felipe Melchor, general manager of ReGen Monterey. “We look forward to sharing this technology and promoting its benefits to the community and the environment.”
The launch ceremony will include a live demonstration of how Sitos Group repurposes local wood byproducts to manufacture high-quality, durable biochar, a Q&A on the social, economic, and environmental impacts of the process, and an educational overview on the background and benefits of biochar and regenerative agriculture. As a final component of the ceremony, Sitos Group will sequester their first lot of carbon, signifying the beginning of their efforts to remove 1,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2030.
“We believe that we have the potential to make a significant impact on the environment and economy in Monterey and beyond,” said Mayo Ryan, CEO of the Sitos Group. “Biochar-enriched soil will not only rehabilitate and improve farmland but can sequester harmful greenhouse gases and mitigate climate change.”
The launch ceremony will take place on Friday, July 21, 2023, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at ReGen Monterey, 14201 Del Monte Blvd. (1.5 miles north of Marina off Highway 1 at exit 412). The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
