Agricultural Waste Valorisation—The Case of Biochar-Compost Blend

The innovative aspects of biochar production lie in the re-use of secondary raw materials and in the provision of an agronomic product with enhanced attributes in fertilisation, soil amendment capacity, and carbon sequestration. This chapter discusses a novel circular business model that integrates waste treatment and entrepreneurship to produce a biochar-compost (BC) blend. Emphasizing the economic value inherent in secondary raw materials, the model takes advantage of the economic value retained in secondary raw materials in a holistic way, with the final product value exceeding input values. Key factors of the business model, such as value proposition, key resources, key activities, key partners, market segment, channels, customer relationships, cost structure, and revenue streams, are explored, suggesting avenues for entrepreneurial opportunities in a number of market contexts. Business model strengths address waste management challenges, ensuring product quality and cost control, while weakness points include dependence on external compost sources, transportation logistics, and risks to agricultural residue supply. Regulatory changes and uncertainty surrounding carbon credit incentives remain a concern despite existing institutional support strategies for organic fertilizers.