We are RecyCoal – a non-profit project founded in 2016 by students of the RWTH Aachen University. Our group is part of Enactus Aachen e.V., a social-entrepreneurial non-profit initiative with the aim to create a better and more sustainable world.
With our unique, low-cost pyrolysis system we are encouraging farmers in developing countries to produce bio-charcoal from crop waste and become independent entrepreneurs.
The Problem
More than 3 billion people still cook with solid fuels. The most frequently used one is wood. Although in many African countries deforestation for firewood production is now illegal, almost 3 million hectares of threatened rainforest disappear every year. In addition, the prices for conventional fuels are rising steadily. Many households depend on these fuels for cooking and face financial difficulties due to the costs.is
Our vision
Green Charcoal for the World – We want to replace wood and conventional coal as fuel with our biochar, thereby protecting rainforests, reducing CO2 emissions and improving the living standards of many people.
Our idea
We have developed a low-cost system that can be used to produce biochar from crop residues. The coal burns cleaner and more efficiently than wood. Everything that is not used for personal consumption can be sold at a profit. By encouraging farmer cooperatives to engage in a lucrative biochar side business, we increase the basic income of the local smallholders and generate financial security for the project in the future..
Achievements
Since 2017 we have been working with our partner in Kigali, Rwanda. Together we have built up a functioning coal production and have continuously developed our system. Nowadays, we proudly count 4 locations across Rwanda to our official partners.