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FAMILY-OWNED COMPANY STARTS CARBON-RICH MATERIAL PRODUCTION THANKS TO FUNDING FROM HSBC UK

12th March 2025

A Surrey-based farming-business is further diversifying following a £1.3m Green Loan
funding package from HSBC UK.

Brodie Biomass, part of the Brodie Farms group of businesses, has used the funding
to invest in a specialist biomass boiler, which will transform tree cuttings into high
quality biochar – a carbon-rich organic material created from the decomposition of
biomass.

The new equipment uses a chemical process called pyrolysis, where organic materials
are heated to high temperatures in reduced levels, or absence, of oxygen. Biochar
produced using this method is gaining traction with regenerative farmers as it promotes
sustainable farming practices, improves soil properties and enhances crop yields.

The equipment will allow Brodie Biomass to process the tree cuttings on-site. The
facility is expected to produce around 1,000 tons of biochar each year, generating
approximately 2,500 tons of carbon credits. These are measurable, verifiable emission
reductions that can be traded to support businesses with reducing their carbon footprint.

Biochar can be used in agricultural applications due to its ability to improve soil organic
matter, reduce the need for chemical fertilisers (when used in conjunction with
composts) and enhance crop yields.

The process of creating biochar isolates carbon from the wood, that would otherwise
be burnt and lost to the atmosphere. Capturing the carbon in biochar form and creating
a compost allows it to be returned to the soil.

Pyrolysis also generates extremely high temperatures, which can be used to provide
hot water for drying wood and agricultural produce or, alternatively, converted into
electricity through an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system.

Located near Brockham in Surrey, Brodie Biomass was launched as part of the
diversification efforts of the family farm, which has more than 50 years’ experience in
farming and working with the local arboreal industries.

Alex Brodie, Managing Director at Brodie Biomass, said: “Thanks to the support
of HSBC UK, we’ve been able to invest in a start-up that allows us to diversify from
and build on our main business which is farming.

The new business brings in specialist infrastructure, enabling us to bring the pyrolysis process in-house. Alongside producing biochar and sequestering carbon, we are working towards reducing our
carbon footprint in farming operations which should increase our subsidies under the
Sustainable Farming Initiative.

“We are also generating surplus renewable energy which is available to the farm
operations and possibly for export to the grid. The funding has provided us with the
necessary capital to expand the business, while also contributing to a more
sustainable future.”

Thomas Andrews, Relationship Manager – South & East Agriculture at HSBC
UK, added: “We have been discussing this project with the team at Brodie Biomass
for the last two years. It has been a fantastic journey to see the work that has gone
into researching the concept of biochar and then turning this into a viable business
that has allowed HSBC to provide funding. There are numerous environmental
benefits of using biochar and its applications both in agriculture and wider industries
offer opportunities to sequester carbon and operate sustainably.”