10158189Carbon Cell – Enhancing Biochar-Based Foam Performance through Advanced Characterisation and OptimisationClosedGrant for R&DInnovate UKCarbon-Cell has developed a biochar-based foam with high thermal resistance, compressive strength, and moisture buffering, offering a sustainable alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS). This innovation combines carbon negativity, fabrication from waste streams, and full compostability, making it an eco-friendly, scalable packaging solution. A key challenge in scaling production is biochar variability, which impacts foam consistency and performance. This project will apply advanced materials science to map biochar properties to foam characteristics, ensuring stable, high-quality production. ASTUTE, as an A4I partner, will provide specialist expertise in Advanced Materials Science, using high-resolution biochar characterisation techniques to optimise processing and enhance supply chain resilience. This project enhances market adoption by improving biochar consistency, ensuring compliance with packaging regulations, and enabling expansion into food-safe and protective-packaging sectors. By 2029, Carbon-Cell aims to replace 2.6 million tonnes of plastic foam annually, supporting UK Net Zero targets and sustainable manufacturing while delivering market-ready biochar-based alternatives to conventional plastic packaging.