Abu Dhabi startup HyveGeo is using waste from the emirate’s date palm industry to produce biochar, a porous carbon material designed to improve desert soil and support local food production.
The company said its process converts dried palm leaves, fibers and date pits into biochar through pyrolysis. Mixed with desert sand, the material retains moisture and nutrients while creating conditions that support plant growth. HyveGeo has tested the approach on lettuce, corn and green beans.
The UAE has around 40 million date palms, generating approximately 500,000 tons of waste each year, according to the company. HyveGeo said its technology can reduce water use by up to 50% and store carbon for more than 100 years.
The startup is working with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority and contributing to the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051, which targets a 60% reduction in reliance on food imports.
HyveGeo was one of four winners of this year’s FoodTech Challenge and received part of a $2 million prize. The company aims to restore 10,000 hectares of degraded land in the UAE and remove 1 million tons of CO2 by 2035.
The startup is also part of Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s technology ecosystem, which it describes as a launchpad for scaling its solution internationally.
Source: CNN
