The following is sourced from SEEK Agricultural Science Popularization, authored by Protecting Soil and Water, Giving Back to Agriculture.

Founded in 2011, SEEK Bio-Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., as a circular economy service provider, focuses on four main business areas: “Circular Economy Project EPC Services,” “Organic Waste Resource Utilization,” “New Fertilizer Development and Application,” and “Soil Improvement and Remediation.”

——Academician Chen Wenfu of the Chinese Academy of Engineering visited SEEK Bio-Technology (Shanghai) for exchanges and guidance on existing issues in the biochar industry and future development trends.

On December 24, 2018, Academician Chen Wenfu, leader of the China Biochar Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance, together with Professor Han Xiaori and Dr. Meng Jun of Shenyang Agricultural University, visited the headquarters of SEEK Bio-Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. They were accompanied by Director Chen Wenxiang of the Bijie Tobacco Company in Guizhou, Director Sun Wenhua, Executive Director of the National Federation of Industry and Commerce Agricultural Chamber, Dr. Zheng Jinwei of Nanjing Agricultural University, Deputy Director Zhu En of the Shanghai Agricultural Technology Extension Center, Director Wu Huiwei of the Minhang Science and Technology Commission, Director Lü Weiguang of the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences Institute of Ecological Environment Protection, and other experts. SEEK Bio’s General Manager, Mr. Jiaxing Pu, led the team in a detailed visit to the company’s facilities, showcasing its biochar-based fertilizers, carbon-energy water-soluble fertilizers, carbon-energy liquid fertilizers, and other innovative carbon fertilizer products. The experts highly recognized SEEK’s positioning as a leading provider of agricultural circular economy solutions.
The era of decades-long rapid economic growth at the expense of the environment and resources has shifted. Public awareness of environmental protection in China is rising, particularly in agriculture. Large-scale fertilizer use with low efficiency has caused severe soil problems and even water pollution. Against this backdrop, we advocate for zero growth in chemical fertilizer and pesticide use, transitioning from an era of yield maximization to one of quality-oriented agriculture. In this era, green, safe, environmentally friendly, and healthy farming will become the main theme. SEEK Bio-Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., seizing this opportunity, has entered the agricultural field with its environmentally friendly product — biochar-based fertilizers — gaining wide market attention and strong expert recognition.
On December 24, led by Academician Chen Wenfu, the expert team visited SEEK headquarters to conduct in-depth discussions on the current state and future prospects of the biochar-based fertilizer market, and how to better promote its application in Chinese agriculture.
What is biochar-based fertilizer? Expert insights:
Although numerous carbon fertilizers have emerged in the market, truly technological biochar-based fertilizers are rare. Despite being relatively new to the market, biochar-based fertilizers have proven remarkably effective, earning strong recognition from grassroots farmers. During the discussions, Academician Chen Wenfu emphasized: “Biochar is currently the best material for soil improvement, especially for remediating heavy metal pollution and pesticide/fertilizer residues. The development of the biochar industry can turn agricultural waste into valuable resources for agriculture — a sunrise industry that benefits the nation, the people, and the environment.”
Professor Han Xiaori of Shenyang Agricultural University further stated: “When combined with microorganisms, biochar’s porous structure and water- and nutrient-retention abilities greatly enhance microbial survival and activity. This activates soil vitality, promotes root growth, improves fertilizer efficiency, and truly achieves reduced fertilizer and pesticide use. The ‘biochar-microbe composite’ technology is a groundbreaking innovation with epoch-making significance.”
Eliminating industry irregularities and setting benchmarks for the biochar industry:
Currently, biochar products in China vary widely in quality. Without standardization, the biochar industry risks faltering before reaching its full potential. On December 9, the draft standard for Biochar-Based Organic Fertilizer was released. This standard will separate biochar fertilizers from general organic fertilizers, providing the necessary regulatory framework to guide the rapid development of the biochar fertilizer industry and promote its healthy growth as a national beneficial industry.
Academician Chen Wenfu also highlighted: “A major factor restricting the development of biochar-based fertilizers is cost. The urgent task is to reduce production costs to promote wider adoption. The circular economy project jointly developed by SEEK and Guizhou Tobacco — the Weining Straw Biochar Fertilizer Factory — is an exemplary case, setting a benchmark for China’s agricultural biochar industry.”

The growth and development of the biochar-based fertilizer industry rely on the close cooperation and joint efforts of enterprises, research institutes, scientific organizations, and universities. In 2017, Academician Chen Wenfu established the China Biochar Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance at Shenyang Agricultural University to transform scientific research into practical products. As a council member of the Alliance, SEEK Bio plays a key role in promoting the healthy development of the biochar fertilizer industry.
Dr. Meng Jun of Shenyang Agricultural University also offered practical suggestions, recommending that restoration projects focus on moderately and lightly polluted lands with relatively low pH values. He suggested that in the early stages of such projects, smaller areas with larger investment should be selected to create high-quality demonstration projects for biochar-based fertilizers. Dr. Meng repeatedly emphasized the importance of establishing standardized, high-quality demonstration projects.
Circular Agriculture — A New Vitality Driven by Core Technology
As an agricultural circular economy service provider, SEEK Bio collects high-quality biomass (bamboo, wood, straw, tobacco stalks) and applies its core high-temperature carbonization technology to produce premium agricultural biochar. Using biochar as a carrier, SEEK applies its biochar-microbe composite technology to produce highly efficient and environmentally friendly biochar-based fertilizers. These products improve soil quality and crop performance, completing an industrial closed loop. SEEK’s core technology enables the resourceful utilization of agricultural waste, effectively avoiding the resource loss and environmental pollution caused by straw burning.
Improving Soil, Promoting Regional Agricultural Circular Economy
Director Chen Wenxiang of Bijie Tobacco Company in Guizhou elaborated on the various advantages of applying tobacco-stalk biochar-based fertilizers in tobacco cultivation. He believes biochar has significant agricultural functions, which can effectively promote the development of agricultural circular economy in Guizhou, improve yield and income for local tobacco farmers, and deliver important economic, environmental, and social benefits. Director Chen also stated that Guizhou Tobacco will expand the promotion and application of biochar-based fertilizers in tobacco cultivation and, where possible, extend its use to other crops.
Director Sun Wenhua of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce expressed strong recognition for biomass carbonization and biochar-microbe composite technology. He encouraged SEEK to conduct thorough market research and leverage its core technologies to develop multiple agricultural circular economy projects nationwide, effectively handling agricultural waste and contributing to sustainable agriculture. Director Wu Huiwei of the Minhang Science and Technology Commission suggested that “SEEK should establish an Academician Workstation, joint laboratories, and a complete biochar-based fertilizer R&D system, and we will strongly support this.” Academician Chen Wenfu immediately expressed strong support for the workstation initiative, stressing, “The workstation must take action and achieve tangible results; otherwise, there is no point in establishing it.”
General Manager Jiaxing Pu stated: “SEEK will actively integrate resources and prioritize the standardization of the biochar-based fertilizer industry. We will address environmental pollution issues caused by heavy metals in soil, groundwater contamination, and agricultural non-point source pollution in various regions. By transforming agricultural waste into agricultural biochar, we will advance agricultural circular economy development, enhance agricultural efficiency, ensure food safety, and promote environmental remediation. SEEK will seize this opportunity, lead the trend, refine and strengthen our enterprise, and contribute to the sustainable development of Chinese agriculture and the agricultural circular economy.”