Start with the end in mind: An interview-based survey and gap analysis of biochar production and selected industrial applications in Europe

Biochar occupies a distinctive position among carbon dioxide removal approaches, offering potential carbon storage and functional materials for several industrial sectors. However, technical potential does not by itself establish market integration. We combined two semi-structured interview studies comprising 13 supply-side interviews across nine European countries and 22 application-side interview sessions involving 23 participants. The main analysis covers asphalt, insulation materials, animal feed, biogas and packaging; one additional biofuel-sector interview is retained as contextual evidence. We examined production economics, application requirements and the gaps between them. Supply-side accounts identified feedstock costs, product specifications, energy offtake and carbon-credit revenue as important but configuration-dependent economic factors. Application professionals described barriers involving price–performance relationships, qualification and regulatory requirements, process compatibility and quality variability. These barriers differed within as well as between sectors, and reported trials and finished-product sales qualified a uniformly negative assessment. The findings suggest that production, processing and delivery need to be adapted to the intended end application. Exploratory gap scores and market calculations are reported separately as assumption-dependent tools, not validated rankings or adoption forecasts. Functional benefits may support particular applications, but cannot be assumed to resolve other integration requirements. Carbon-removal demand is likely to remain important for scaling several business models, although the interviews do not establish universal dependence on credits. The study identifies application-specific development priorities and policy options requiring further quantitative evaluation.