Indicative Disclaimer: The business planning models provided herein are strictly indicative and for informational purposes only. They do not constitute, nor should they be construed as, a guarantee, warranty, or representation of actual financial results. Any reliance placed on these models is at the user's own risk, and all data and projections must be subject to independent professional assessment and verification.
Business Model Simulator · v3.0

Biochar Production Business

Multi-feedstock pyrolysis calculator — 5-year projection with material life assessment

🌿

Feedstock Selection

Select Materials (toggle on/off)
⚠ Feedstock percentages must sum to 100%
Material Allocation (% of total feedstock)
Available Tonnage & Life Assessment
Total months of feedstock supply
NowProject lifespan
🔥

Kiln Configuration

Kiln Orientation AUTO
⟷ Horizontal
↕ Vertical
Vertical kiln selected — pecan shells are optimal for vertical processing
How moisture affects yield: Wet feedstock reduces biochar output in two ways — water mass that never converts to biochar lowers the effective yield fraction; steam formation during pyrolysis can also inhibit carbonisation. A fresh/wet log at 50% MC can lose 35–45% of potential yield versus the same material dried. Set moisture class per feedstock in the selection panel above.
Kiln Size
📦

Product Mix

Pure Biochar Stream
Pure Biochar % of total biochar 10%
Remainder goes into compost blends
Pure Biochar Product Split (must = 100%)
R/kg:
R/kg:
R/kg:
R/kg:
Compost Blend Products
R/kg:
R/kg:
Compost Settings
Biochar % in compost blend 5%
5% biochar, 95% compost — adjust blend ratio
Compost cost (R/kg) R2.50
R0 = own/free supply · R10 = purchased premium
💰

Costs & Capital

Monthly Operating Costs (R/month)
ℹ Costs are entered as monthly figures — not per-burn/day. Auto-scaled by number of active kilns.

ItemTypeR/month (base)
ElectricityVariable
Kiln Operators (Labour)Variable
Fuel (gas/wood)Variable
Maintenance & RepairsVariable
Management & SalesFixed
Sales & MarketingFixed
InsuranceFixed
Admin & AccountingFixed
Packaging & ConsumablesFixed

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)
Kiln cost: calculated from selection above
Kiln(s) — calculatedR0
Cement Mixers (×4 @ R7,000)
Granulator
Blending Equipment
Blowers
Packaging
Storage
Vehicle
Site Setup
Working Capital
TOTAL CAPEXR0
Financial Assumptions
Monthly EBITDA
—
Configure feedstock and kilns
5-Year NPV
—
@ 12% discount rate
IRR
—
vs hurdle rate
Total CAPEX
—
—
Payback Period
—
—
Biochar / Month
—
Total output kg
Gross Margin
—
EBITDA Margin
—
Compost % Rev
—
Product Output
—
Active Kilns
—
Project Material Life Assessment
— years
Based on available tonnage vs. consumption rate
Yr 1Yr 2Yr 3Yr 4Yr 55-Yr Total
Feedstock / ProductYr 1Yr 2Yr 3Yr 4Yr 5Total
Cost ItemMonthlyYr 1Yr 2Yr 3Yr 4Yr 5
MetricValue
Note on costs: Monthly costs reflect actual monthly expenditure (not per-burn/day). Variable costs scale with number of active kilns. Site setup assumed zero as infrastructure is in place. Cement mixers: 4 × R7,000 = R28,000. CAPEX excludes site setup unless specified. This model is indicative and does not constitute financial advice.