Europe’s carbon sink is shrinking: meet the biomass and biochar innovators fighting back

According to a recent report from the European Environment Agency, Europe’s forests and land have been found to be absorbing less carbon than expected.

The report found that the annual ‘carbon sink’ of Europe’s forests and soils in the last ten years dropped 30% from the decade before. There are a number of reasons for this, including forests ageing and soaking up less carbon, the impact of climate change on forest carbon stocks, and of course the impact of human activities such as logging. That’s a worry for the 2030 targets for the land use and forestry sector.

The report does point to a variety of mitigation options. Among them are the use of biomass and the related material biochar. These materials can do a lot, from providing greener fuel and product alternatives to promoting soil regeneration. Perhaps most importantly, biochar is a powerful tool for carbon sequestration, with the potential for locking in hundreds of millions of tonnes of C02 by 2040, according to the European Biochar Industry Consortium (EBI).

With that in mind, we’ve picked out six startups, spin-offs and established companies, all with something unique to offer in the biomass and biochar spaces.

JORD - Sweden

Founded: 2017 Headquarters: Stockholm Leadership: Peder Dagsánth (CEO), Eva Teekens (CCO) Latest news: 300 hectares of land secured for large-scale biofuel project in Senegal

Jord is one of the better known players in the landscape. Their system uses modified grasses to absorb C02 and store it in the plant, root and soils – helping regenerate the soil as it goes. After that, the grasses are transformed into biofuel for alternative energy use and biochar, which goes back into the soil to improve its health and sequester carbon. The company recently announced it has begun harvesting at its site in the Dominican Republic.

MOA Foodtech - Spain

Founded: 2020 Headquarters: Pamplona Founders: Bosco Emparanza, Dr. Susana Sánchez, and José María Elorza Latest news: €2.3 million grant and €12.5m blended financing commitment from the European Innovation Council accelerator program.

Where MOA Foodtech sets itself apart from other biomass-related startups is in its use of AI. Its Albatross AI tool analyses and sequences the genomes of microbes, optimising the process of adding them to the byproducts of food and agriculture, to generate the ideal composition they’re looking for. The resulting biomass product, as the firm’s name implies, is turned into various ingredients for use in commercial food processes.

Votion Biorefineries - Sweden

Founded: 2022 Headquarters: Sundsvall Founder: Anders Edling Hultgren Latest news: Partnership with Jord to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

SAF is in high demand, with the aviation industry contributing so much to overall carbon emissions. Where Votion comes in is taking the biomass-derived fuel created by companies like Jord, and using their proprietary biorefineries to turn it into fuels and chemicals. The company hopes to use its processes to reduce one million tonnes of greenhouse gasses by 2030, and has received support from the Swedish Energy Agency.

Bloom Biorenewables - Switzerland

Founded: 2019 Headquarters: Marly Founders: Dr. Florent Héroguel, Prof. Jeremy Luterbacher, Dr. Remy Buser Latest news: €14m Series A round in 2025.

A spin-off from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Bloom Biorenewables focuses on turning biomass into alternatives for petroleum-based products. "We excel in deconstructing biomass," claims the company, and with their science-led approach Bloom offers its products for a wide range of uses, from fragrances to polyurethanes. The company also recently announced a breakthrough in producing lignin - a green alternative to inputs in various applications – which will allow it to be more easily incorporated into cosmetics.

Charly - Germany

Founded: 2024 Headquarters: Leipzig Founder: Nina Masson

The newest name on this list, Charly appears yet to receive VC funding but promises big things when it comes to using biochar as a replacement material for things like plastics. The company makes its materials from waste biomass it says locks in 3kg of C02 for every one kg of material produced. Charly bills itself as a kind of one-stop-shop for companies looking to make more climate-friendly products, from initial material sourcing to product design and carbon verification and compliance.

Cirkus C – Czechia

Founded: 2022 Headquarters: Brno CEO: Vilém Řiháček Latest news: Řiháček has been nominated for the Czech Sustainability Leader Award 2025.

Another fledgling biochar startup, Cirkus C provides biochar in various forms for both personal/hobbyist and commercial use, particularly in the construction and commercial gardening sectors. Where Cirkus C caught Impact Loop’s attention, however, is their recent announcement of having developed a process for creating biochar-infused mortar for low-carbon masonry. Not much has been published on this apparent breakthrough so far, but it’s one for investors to watch.

(Pictures from left: Vilém Řiháček, Cirkus C; Susana Sánchez, MOA Foodtech; Eva Teekens, Jord; José María Elorza, MOA Foodtech; Anders Edling Hultgren, Votion Biorefineries; Bosco Emparanza, MOA Foodtech; Nina Masson, Charly.)