In the current effort to mitigate climate change and achieve net zero emissions, carbon storage technologies are gaining prominence. Two of the most promising methods that harness the power of natural processes and engineering, are biochar a CTM (Mineralized Carbon in Stable Matrix). Although both solutions aim for the same goal, they differ in their structure, storage durability, and strategic application within climate infrastructure.

Biochar: Biogenic carbon in an organic matrix

Biochar is a carbon-rich material that is produced by the thermal decomposition of organic matter (biomass) at high temperatures in an oxygen-limited environment, a process known as pyrolysis. The biomass source can be agricultural residues, wood chips or manure.

Properties and mechanisms of action The uniqueness of biochar lies in its physical and chemical properties. It has high porosity and large specific surface area (typically 50 to 1,000 m²/g), making it an extremely effective tool for improving soil structure and water retention.

• Nutrient retention: Thanks to its high cation exchange capacity (CEC), biochar can bind and exchange essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, reducing their leaching from the soil.
• pH buffering: Biochar is usually alkaline, which helps neutralize acidic soils and improve conditions for plant growth.
• Supporting microbial life: The porous surface provides an ideal environment (habitat) for beneficial soil microorganisms, which increases microbial diversity and activity.

Climatic and agronomic advantages In agriculture, biochar has demonstrated the ability to compensate for the so-called "yield deficit" in no-tillage systems, where it can increase crop yields by up to 20%. From a climate perspective, biochar acts as long-term carbon storage, which prevents its release back into the atmosphere in the form of CO2 for tens to hundreds of years. However, according to some classifications, its permanence reaches the level of decades, which puts it in the position of a soil conditioner with agro-environmental use.

CTM: Mineralized Carbon in a Stable Matrix

On the other side of the climate solutions spectrum stands CTM (Mineralized Carbon in Stable Matrix). Unlike biochar, which is organic based, CTM represents a transition to mineralized forms of carbon, which offer a higher level of stability and security.

Main parameters of the CTM solution

CTM is defined as permanent carbon solution (Permanent Carbon Solution) and is classified as a mineral environmental asset. Its key features include:

• Secular permanence: Carbon within the CTM remains stored for a period of more than 100 years, making it one of the most stable solutions on the market.
• Low risk of reversal: Thanks to mineralization in a stable matrix, the risk of carbon being re-released into the atmosphere (reversal risk) is minimal compared to organic matrices.
• Climate infrastructure: While biochar is perceived primarily as a product for agriculture, CTM is considered part of climate infrastructure, which meets strict ESG and CBAM standards.

In a broader scientific context, the abbreviation CTM in forestry can also refer to Crop Tree Management (target tree management), which is a forest thinning technology to improve the quality of individual trees. Interestingly, the application of this CTM regime in forests significantly increases microbial biomass carbon in soil (by 64.2 %), thus indirectly contributing to ecosystem carbon storage.

Key Differences: Biochar vs. CTM

A comparison of these two technologies reveals fundamental differences in their strategic nature and security:

Safety and Risk (Reversal Risk) One of the most important factors in trading carbon credits is ensuring that the stored carbon remains sequestered. Biochar, while stable, is still subject to microbial degradation in the soil over long periods of time. Critics of biochar warn that claims of its stability for thousands of years are premature, as most studies have been of short duration. CTM addresses this uncertainty through mineralization, thereby physically and chemically locking carbon into a stable form that is immune to normal biological decomposition processes.

Towards a sustainable future: Integration and synergies

Although it may seem that CTM is superior due to its permanence, in practice both technologies have their irreplaceable place.

Biochar as an engine of regenerative agriculture

Biochar brings huge co-benefits for soil health. It increases the biodiversity of soil biota, improves water retention and helps crops withstand environmental stresses such as drought. When combined with other practices such as compost or green manure application, it creates a synergistic effect that increases overall fertility and ecosystem stability. Research also suggests that biochar can reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) from soil, another major greenhouse gas.

CTM as a pillar of carbon markets

CTM will play a key role where required maximum certainty of carbon storage to offset industrial emissions. Due to its compliance with CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) standards, CTM represents a transparent and verifiable way of storing carbon that is more easily accepted by institutional investors and regulators within climate infrastructure.

The choice between biochar and CTM mineralized carbon is not an „either-or“ choice. Biochar is an invaluable tool for transforming agriculture to a more sustainable model that brings immediate benefits to both farmers and the environment. CTM represents the technological pinnacle in the field of guaranteed permanence, essential for the long-term stabilization of CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

Using both approaches will allow society to not only sequester millions of tons of carbon, but also to heal soils, increase the country's resilience to drought, and build a new generation of climate-smart infrastructure. The future of climate protection thus lies in a diversified portfolio of solutions, where biogenic and mineralized carbon form two sides of the same coin - the path to a sustainable planet. JRi&CO2AI