Thailand and Green Carbon Launch Landmark Biochar Project Using Rubber Tree Waste

Japan-based developer Green Carbon has joined forces with Thailand’s Rubber Authority (RAOT) to spearhead an ambitious biochar project. Formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), the initiative aims to transform rubber tree waste into carbon credits on an unprecedented scale.

A Thai man holding a small handful of rubber tree waste, with a rubber tree forest. AI generated picture.

The project will use wood scraps from rubber trees that are cut down after ceasing latex production, usually around 25 years of age. By converting this often-discarded material into biochar, the collaboration will pave the way for the world’s largest carbon credit program centred on rubber trees.

As the top global producer of natural rubber, Thailand manages around 4 million hectares of plantations. RAOT, which oversees the industry and owns significant plantation assets, plays a crucial role in ensuring the project integrates seamlessly with existing rubber production practices while prioritising environmental sustainability.

This initiative builds on Green Carbon’s expanding portfolio of nature-based carbon credit programs in Southeast Asia. Just last month, the company signed an agreement with a Thai university to further promote carbon-reducing projects.

Supported by Japanese financial giants Mitsubishi and Sumitomo Mitsui, Green Carbon has already developed innovative solutions such as rice methane reduction and mangrove restoration in countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

By repurposing rubber tree waste into biochar, this project highlights the potential for aligning sustainability with industrial practices, driving significant progress in carbon reduction while enhancing the long-term viability of the rubber industry.