Philipp Hauser

About the SOLER Group

The SOLER Group has developed and is operating innovative biorefinery systems that integrate the necessity for climate-smart forestry with the imperative for climate-neutral industrial production and the creation of permanent carbon sinks. With three operational units and a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of biocarbon per year, SOLER has demonstrated the capability for sustainable production at an industrial scale. Our biorefineries utilize woody biomass, typically the byproducts of sustainable forest management and salvage wood from post-forest fire recovery, as the sole raw material source. To demonstrate the sustainability of its supply chain and products, SOLER’s production units in Lacanau, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Gyé-sur-Seine, Grand-Est in France are both certified by the SBP, meeting and exceeding the sustainability requirements of the Renewable Energy Directive.

This approach allows SOLER to produce sustainable biocarbon, a climate-neutral feedstock to produce silicon metal and ferroalloys, as well as green chemicals and steel, which are key components in the global pursuit of a climate-neutral economy. As biochar, SOLER's products contribute to large-scale carbon removal, either when used as a soil additive for climate-resilient agriculture or in the creation of climate-positive building materials. Furthermore, SOLER's biorefineries process tars and other liquid and gaseous residues from the pyrolytic biocarbon production into high-quality syngas. This residue-derived syngas serves multiple purposes: it can be used for co-generating electricity and heat, or as a strategic feedstock for synthesizing biomolecules for heavy transport fuels and green chemicals.

SOLER’s biocarbon, as a wood-based product, offers a renewable alternative for industries that require carbon for their processes. The additional upgrading of residues from the biocarbon production process to produce renewable energy and molecules not only ensures high process efficiency but also aligns with the principle of cascading use of biomass as defined by the Renewable Energy Directive.

Equipped with this scalable solution, SOLER engages in public debate about the development of nature-positive value chains as a key to improved forest management and climate-neutral industrial processes. Our objective is to inform about the opportunities of sustainably produced biocarbon and green molecules and engage in discussions about regulatory instruments that can maximize their benefits for society and the environment. Please find further information at www.soler-group.com.