Category: Back to the Planet

Project title: Treehouse Biochar Project

Project type: Business Implementation or Operational Initiative, Product Design and Innovation

Relevant SDG(s):

• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• Goal 13: Climate Action
• Goal 15: Life on Land

Primary topic(s):

• Advanced Processing and By-product Utilization
• Net Zero Strategies and Scope 3 Emissions
• Nature-positive Solutions and Regenerative Agriculture
• Circular Economy
• Climate Resilience and Adaptation
• Community Development and Engagement
• Workforce Well-being and Fair Practices
• Supply Chain Transparency and Traceability
• Sustainable Sourcing and Procurement
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Integration

Relevant product(s): Almonds

Project end date: January 2024. Duration: 20+ years

Location: USA, Cambodia, and Australia

Is this a multi-collaborative project? Yes, Sitos Group, LLC

ABSTRACT:

Treehouse California Almonds has partnered with Sitos Group to launch a first-of-its-kind biochar production facility that will transform almond shells into high-value biochar—an agronomic tool and carbon removal solution—while creating local jobs, advancing agricultural sustainability, and setting a replicable model for the broader agricultural industry. Located in California, the facility is designed to process 26,000 tons of almond shells annually, converting them into 9,000 tons of biochar and enabling an estimated 20,000 tons of permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) each year.

Project Purpose and Background

California produces over 80% of the world’s almonds, generating significant volumes of residual shell material. Historically, these shells have been treated as low-value byproducts with limited reuse options. Sitos Group identified this challenge as a climate and soil opportunity—transforming waste into a valuable resource through biochar production.

Biochar is created through pyrolysis, a thermal process that converts biomass into a stable, carbon-rich material. This process not only locks away carbon for thousands of years but also improves soil biology, boosts crop yields, enhances water retention, and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Sitos Group, the biochar producer, partnered with Treehouse California Almonds—who provide the almond shell feedstock and serve as the project host—with five core objectives in mind:

1. Reduce agricultural waste by upcycling almond shells.
2. Produce high-quality biochar to enhance soil health and regeneration.
3. Create local jobs and long-term workforce opportunities.
4. Lay the foundation for a network of decentralized, scalable biochar facilities.
5. Deliver real, measurable climate impact through biochar-based CDR.

Scope, Scale, and Key Components

The facility, expected to break ground in August, will process 26,000 tons of almond shells annually, producing 9,000 tons of biochar. This biochar will be distributed to regenerative farms and soil restoration projects across California and beyond, contributing to both economic circularity and ecosystem resilience. The projected climate benefit is substantial: 20,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent removed from the atmosphere each year.

A distinctive component of the project is its clean energy integration. While the energy capture system is still in development, the goal is to harness the excess heat from pyrolysis and convert it into renewable energy that will be sold back to the grid through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), closing the loop on waste and emissions.

This facility, with Treehouse CA Almonds leading the way, is purposefully designed as a scalable model. The long-term vision is to replicate this blueprint at almond huller-sheller sites across the state. Its modular design allows for flexibility in processing other agricultural and organic residues, such as pistachio shells or wood waste. This adaptability is key to scaling climate-positive infrastructure across the industry.

Job Creation and Community Development

Located in California’s Central Valley, the project will bring new jobs to the Earlimart/Delano region and cultivate a workplace culture rooted in respect, equity, and holistic well-being. Job training, career development, and health-forward policies will support the physical, mental, and social wellness of employees.

Additionally, the facility will include a biochar education and advocacy center aimed at raising awareness among growers, policymakers, and the public. This hub will foster greater community engagement and build momentum for climate-smart agriculture as a viable climate strategy.

Impact on the Agriculture Industry

The implications of this project for the agriculture industry are significant. Almond growers gain a high-value, sustainable end-use for a previously underutilized byproduct—turning waste into both an agronomic benefit and a carbon asset. The economic and environmental returns offer a compelling case for adopting regenerative waste practices.

More broadly, the facility sets a precedent: agricultural processors can now envision a future where their byproducts become drivers of carbon removal, soil regeneration, and clean energy production. Given the scale of California’s almond industry, the ability to replicate this model statewide dramatically amplifies its climate, soil, and social benefits.

Conclusion

This first-of-its-kind biochar facility is more than a production plant—it’s a catalyst for transformation in specialty agriculture. Through an innovative relationship between waste mitigation, biochar creation, clean energy recovery, job creation, and public education, the project delivers measurable environmental, social, and economic value.

Treehouse California Almonds and Sitos Group are not only reducing CO₂ emissions and closing the carbon loop—they are reimagining what sustainability looks like in the agricultural industry, and building a model that others can become a part of.

OBJECTIVES:

Maximize the commercial value of a waste byproduct (shells), regenerate agricultural soils, and sequester carbon that would otherwise cycle back into the atmosphere.

IMPACT AND OUTCOMES:

Treehouse California Almonds and Sitos Group’s commercial-scale biochar facility is transforming a historically low-value byproduct—almond shells—into a high-impact regenerative input. By converting this agricultural byproduct into biochar, the project is enhancing soil health while delivering measurable climate benefits through permanent carbon removal.

Measurable Environmental and Climate Impact

Perhaps the most tangible outcome of the project is its contribution to permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The facility is designed to sequester approximately 20,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year through the production of 9,000 tons of biochar. This carbon is effectively locked in stable form for thousands of years, interrupting the carbon cycle and preventing its return to the atmosphere.

In addition to its ability to permanently sequester carbon, biochar delivers powerful agronomic benefits when applied to soil—most notable among them, a significant reduction in the need for synthetic fertilizers, which are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Early field trials conducted by Sitos Group’s sister company within California’s agricultural sector have shown yield improvements of 20–35%, along with enhanced water retention, increased soil organic matter, and more robust microbial activity. These results highlight biochar’s transformative potential in creating more resilient, productive, and sustainable cropping systems.

Addressing a Critical Industry Challenge

This project directly addresses a long-standing challenge in the agriculture industry: how to handle the large volumes of agricultural residue generated. Almond shells have traditionally had few profitable outlets and are often underutilized or discarded at cost. By converting this underused biomass into a high-value product, the facility shifts the paradigm—offering a sustainable end-use pathway that simultaneously improves soil health and sustainability.

This model introduces a closed-loop system within the almond industry and beyond: shells are processed locally, returned to regional farmland as soil amendments, and create a new, sustainable value stream. The outcome is a win-win-win for processors, farmers, and the planet.

Economic and Social Outcomes

The project also delivers significant economic and community benefits. The facility will create over 20 permanent jobs in the Earlimart/Delano area and drive indirect employment through partnerships with haulers, farm suppliers, and engineering service providers. These positions are being designed with equity and longevity in mind, with plans for workforce development, career advancement, and worker well-being.

This facility is the first of its kind—but it is not the last. One of the most impactful elements of the project is its modular and scalable design, tailored for replication at almond huller-sheller sites throughout California. With over 100 such locations across the state, and an estimated 500,000+ tons of almond shell waste generated annually, the potential impact of widespread adoption is enormous. If even 10 additional facilities are built using this model, the industry could sequester upwards of 200,000 tons of CO₂e per year—turning waste into climate assets at scale.

The inclusion of clean energy generation via heat recovery adds another layer of innovation. Though still under development, the integration of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to feed renewable energy back into the grid sets a precedent for energy-positive agriculture infrastructure—a new frontier in sustainability innovation.

Relevance to the Nut Industry

For the nut industry, sustainability is becoming increasingly important. Consumers, regulators, and supply chain partners are requesting traceable, transparent climate action and circular practices. This project meets that need head-on. It represents a breakthrough in how the almond industry can turn a waste stream into a revenue-generating, regenerative input, offering clear sustainability metrics that can be included in ESG and reporting frameworks.

Moreover, the facility is fostering collaboration between value chain partners—from shell suppliers to farmers, agronomists, and carbon marketplaces—thereby strengthening the industry’s resilience and ability to innovate.

Conclusion

This project goes far beyond constructing a single facility—it delivers climate solutions, generates community benefits, and unlocks new revenue streams for the nut industry. By establishing a scalable, replicable model that integrates seamlessly with existing agricultural infrastructure, it is setting a new standard for sustainability in the nut and agricultural industry. Through innovation, collaboration, and measurable results, this initiative proves that agricultural byproducts can be reimagined as high-value resources with lasting impact.

In what ways is the project innovative?

California’s first-ever, commercial-scale biochar production facility that transforms almond shells into a powerful tool for soil regeneration, waste management, clean energy production, and long-term carbon removal.

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