Oct 29, 2024Treehouse California Almonds and Sitos Group partner to launch $9 million biochar facility in Delano
Treehouse California Almonds has partnered with Sitos Group to launch a $9 million slow pyrolysis biochar facility in Delano, California.
This facility is expected to be operational by late 2025 and will offer a 25,000-square-foot plant to transform almond shells from Treehouse’s hulling operations into biochar, a sustainable soil amendment that also helps remove carbon from the atmosphere.
The facility is touted as the first commercial biochar system on the West Coast with a direct agricultural connection. By converting almond shells, a byproduct of almond farming, into biochar, the project supports regenerative agriculture, aiding in soil health, carbon sequestration and sustainable waste management.
Mark Masten, president of Treehouse California Almonds, highlighted the environmental commitment driving the project.
“As climate change continues to come to the forefront of agriculture, this partnership with Sitos Group represents another leading step forward in our company’s commitment to climate-smart action and regenerative agriculture in the almond category,” Masten said. “We see this partnership as a tremendous advancement not only for our orchards and California’s environment but also for our growers and business partners – for many years to come.”
The biochar produced at the facility will offer benefits including improved moisture retention, nutrient retention, and habitat support for soil microorganisms. These attributes can help enhance crop yields, particularly in nutrient-depleted soils and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Biochar’s carbon-stable structure prevents carbon from re-entering the atmosphere, serving as a long-term carbon sink.
“This landmark partnership with Treehouse California Almonds will establish our first commercial biochar facility, transforming almond shells into a powerful tool for carbon removal and regenerative agriculture,” said Mayo Ryan, co-founder and CEO of Sitos Group. “This project represents a significant step toward a circular economy in California’s agricultural sector, taking biochar production to a meaningful scale.”
In addition to producing biochar, the Delano plant will generate clean electricity by repurposing heat energy from the pyrolysis units, supporting the local power grid and advancing California’s climate goals.
