Grain Ecosystem

Securing a consistent and high-quality feedstock supply is one of the most critical aspects of launching a successful biochar project. Here’s how to assess your feedstock options, approach providers, and build agreements that set your project up for scale. 

Some projects already have secured feedstock, like a sugar mill looking for solutions to manage its excess bagasse. Others, however, need to form partnerships with external suppliers. We’ll focus on the specifics of this latter approach. 

Before starting your project or reaching out to potential providers, you’ll need to understand what qualifies as acceptable feedstock. In short: it must be biogenic, waste-derived, and clean. That means it needs to come from a biological source, be considered a residual material rather than a primary product, and be free from contaminants like plastic, chemicals, or paint. 

These standards aren’t just technicalities: they’re essential for emissions control, regulatory compliance, and downstream carbon certification. 

In these previous articles you can read about eligible feedstocks for each Standard and how to prove its Sustainable: 

Where to Find Viable Feedstock Providers 

The most reliable feedstock often comes from existing, large-scale operations that already generate biogenic waste as a byproduct of their core business. Sawmills, sugar mills, municipal green waste programs, and tree services are prime examples. They produce a steady stream of materials —like wood chips, bark fines, and bagasse— that would otherwise be discarded or underutilized. 

Tapping into these supply chains allows you to leverage their existing logistics infrastructure. Ideally, your processing facility should be located as close as possible to theirs. This not only reduces transport costs, emissions and complexity, but makes your value proposition stronger, because you’re offering a solution for their waste, without requiring them to reinvent operations. 

Not surprisingly, feedstock composition, the biochar system input, has a big impact on system outputs, the products. Therefore, selecting the optimal feedstock really depends on what products you’re trying to produce. 

If your priority is high biochar yield, denser materials like hardwoods, nut shells, and fruit pits are ideal. These can offer yield rates of 20 to 30 percent. On the other hand, if your project focuses on energy production or waste reduction, less dense materials like sugarcane bagasse, grasses, or agricultural residues may be more appropriate. For more insight into these differences, we recommend the following article: 

What a Good Feedstock Agreement Looks Like 

Investors want to see that your project has a secure and predictable supply chain. While it may not always be possible to sign a long-term contract from day one, even a one-year Letter of Intent (LOI) goes a long way in establishing credibility and project viability. 

A strong feedstock agreement should cover the basics: 

Example: The term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated pursuant the terms herein, shall remain in full force and effect for 20 years 

Example: Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice if the other Party becomes insolvent, makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, has a receiver or trustee appointed for the benefit of its creditors, or files for protection from creditors under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, 

Example: Payment shall be Net 15 Days from Shipment Date. Interest on delinquent amounts shall accrue at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum until paid. 

And, more importantly, it should mitigate the following risks: 

Clarity and transparency here not only reduce risk but can streamline operations once you’re up and running. You can access our template documents 

Plan for Growth and Choose Partners Who Can Grow with You 

Most successful projects start small, then scale once the model proves itself. Your initial phase might require 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes of feedstock per year, but if the project performs well, you might need three or four times that in phase two. That’s why it’s worth prioritizing providers who can grow with you, or who are already managing large streams of waste that can be tapped gradually. 

Feedstock security isn’t static. It’s strategic. Think about where you want your project to go in five, ten, or twenty years, and choose partners who can help get you there. 

Feedstock is the foundation of your project and one of the first thing investors and registries will look at when assessing your business case. By understanding what makes feedstock viable, finding the right providers, and building clear agreements from the start, you’ll be positioned to scale smoothly and deliver impact. 

Discover strategies for securing reliable feedstock partnerships that meet sustainability and project growth goals. 

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<p></p><p>Securing a consistent and high-quality feedstock supply is one of the most critical aspects of launching a successful biochar project. Here’s how to assess your feedstock options, approach providers, and build agreements that set your project up for scale. </p><p>Some projects already have secured feedstock, like a sugar mill looking for solutions to manage its excess bagasse. Others, however, need to form partnerships with external suppliers. We’ll focus on the specifics of this latter approach. </p><h2>What Makes a Feedstock Qualified? </h2><p>Before starting your project or reaching out to potential providers, you’ll need to understand what qualifies as acceptable feedstock. In short: it must be biogenic, waste-derived, and clean. That means it needs to come from a biological source, be considered a residual material rather than a primary product, and be free from contaminants like plastic, chemicals, or paint. </p><p>These standards aren’t just technicalities: they’re essential for emissions control, regulatory compliance, and downstream carbon certification. </p><p>In these previous articles you can read about eligible feedstocks for each Standard and how to prove its Sustainable: </p><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/67362abaea63cff8e65976e2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Biochar: Feedstock Sourcing & Eligibility for every Standard </em></a></li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/68af5254b1d72ab2d7467ef7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Securing Your Feedstock: How to Prove it’s Sustainable </em></a><em>(Members only)</em></li></ul><h2>Where to Find Viable Feedstock Providers </h2><p>The most reliable feedstock often comes from existing, large-scale operations that already generate biogenic waste as a byproduct of their core business. Sawmills, sugar mills, municipal green waste programs, and tree services are prime examples. They produce a steady stream of materials —like wood chips, bark fines, and bagasse— that would otherwise be discarded or underutilized. </p><p>Tapping into these supply chains allows you to leverage their existing logistics infrastructure. Ideally, your processing facility should be located as close as possible to theirs. This not only reduces transport costs, emissions and complexity, but makes your value proposition stronger, because you’re offering a solution for their waste, without requiring them to reinvent operations. </p><h2>Match Your Feedstock to Your Outputs </h2><p>Not surprisingly, feedstock composition, the biochar system input, has a big impact on system outputs, the products. Therefore, selecting the optimal feedstock really depends on what products you’re trying to produce. </p><p>If your priority is high biochar yield, denser materials like hardwoods, nut shells, and fruit pits are ideal. These can offer yield rates of 20 to 30 percent. On the other hand, if your project focuses on energy production or waste reduction, less dense materials like sugarcane bagasse, grasses, or agricultural residues may be more appropriate. For more insight into these differences, we recommend the following article: </p><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6814f3dae44bb4f2fc862292" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>How to Understand Your Biochar Quality</em></a><em> (Members only)</em></li></ul><h2>What a Good Feedstock Agreement Looks Like </h2><p>Investors want to see that your project has a secure and predictable supply chain. While it may not always be possible to sign a long-term contract from day one, even a one-year Letter of Intent (LOI) goes a long way in establishing credibility and project viability. </p><p>A strong feedstock agreement should cover the basics: </p><h3>Define the term of the agreement  </h3><p>Example: The term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated pursuant the terms herein, shall remain in full force and effect for 20 years </p><h3>Define the Termination rights </h3><p>Example: Either Party may terminate this Agreement upon written notice if the other Party becomes insolvent, makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, has a receiver or trustee appointed for the benefit of its creditors, or files for protection from creditors under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, </p><h3>Define Payment Terms </h3><p>Example: Payment shall be Net 15 Days from Shipment Date. Interest on delinquent amounts shall accrue at the rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum until paid. </p><p>And, more importantly, it should mitigate the following risks: </p><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Feedstock quantities align with planned volumes </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Feedstock composition aligns with system design </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Feedstock cost aligns with financial projections </li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1>Feedstock is eligible for carbon offsets. </li></ul><p>Clarity and transparency here not only reduce risk but can streamline operations once you’re up and running. You can access our template documents <a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/downloads" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> to help you get started <em>(Members only)</em>. </p><h2>Plan for Growth and Choose Partners Who Can Grow with You </h2><p>Most successful projects start small, then scale once the model proves itself. Your initial phase might require 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes of feedstock per year, but if the project performs well, you might need three or four times that in phase two. That’s why it’s worth prioritizing providers who can grow with you, or who are already managing large streams of waste that can be tapped gradually. </p><p>Feedstock security isn’t static. It’s strategic. Think about where you want your project to go in five, ten, or twenty years, and choose partners who can help get you there. </p><h2>In Closing </h2><p>Feedstock is the foundation of your project and one of the first thing investors and registries will look at when assessing your business case. By understanding what makes feedstock viable, finding the right providers, and building clear agreements from the start, you’ll be positioned to scale smoothly and deliver impact. </p><h2>Related content </h2><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/67362abaea63cff8e65976e2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biochar: Feedstock Sourcing & Eligibility for every Standard </a></li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/68af5254b1d72ab2d7467ef7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Securing Your Feedstock: How to Prove it’s Sustainable </a><em>(Members only)</em></li></ul><ul class="bullet"><li value=1><a href="https://grainecosystem.com/knowledge-hub/articles/6814f3dae44bb4f2fc862292" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">How to Understand Your Biochar Quality</a> <em>(Members only)</em></li></ul><p> </p>

Finding and Partnering with the Right Feedstock Providers 

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Internal Scan and/or Medium Impact

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Unsafe Cross-Origin Resource Sharing

HTTP Request Smuggling

Path Traversal

Sensitive Data Exposure

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Directory Listing Enabled

Same-Site Scripting

SSL Attack (BREACH, POODLE etc.)

Using Default Credentials

Basic Subdomain Takeover

High Impact Subdomain Takeover

Zone Transfer

Missing Certification Authority Authorization (CAA) Record

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Implementation Vulnerability

Brute Force

Missing

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To Internet

Exposed Admin Portal

Missing DNSSEC

Fingerprinting/Banner Disclosure

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Potentially Unsafe HTTP Method Enabled

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Certificate Error

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Reflected File Download (RFD)

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Race Condition

Cache Poisoning

Bitsquatting

Server Security Misconfiguration

Local

File Inclusion

Social Media Sharing Buttons

Parameter Pollution

Remote Code Execution (RCE)

LDAP Injection

SQL Injection

XML External Entity Injection (XXE)

Response Splitting (CRLF)

HTTP Response Manipulation

iframe Injection

Impersonation via Broken Link Hijacking

External Authentication Injection

Flash Based External Authentication Injection

HTML Content Injection

Email HTML Injection

Email Hyperlink Injection Based on Email Provider

Text Injection

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Right-to-Left Override (RTLO)

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Manual User Enumeration

EXIF Geolocation Data Not Stripped From Uploaded Images

Detailed Server Configuration

Full Path Disclosure

Descriptive Stack Trace

Visible Detailed Error/Debug Page

Disclosure of Known Public Information

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Sensitive Token in URL

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Password Reset Token Sent Over HTTP

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Weak Password Reset Implementation

Mixed Content (HTTPS Sourcing HTTP)