Trong Duc Cacao, a leading cocoa company in Vietnam, is taking significant steps towards sustainability by collaborating with Tromsø, a company renowned for its biochar production technology. This partnership aims to address the challenges posed by cocoa waste in Dong Nai province, an area recognized for its robust cocoa production.

Partnership Goals and Biochar Production

Recently, Trong Duc Cacao signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tromsø to initiate the processing of cocoa shells into biochar. This innovative project not only aims to repurpose waste but also sets the stage for a full-scale implementation in the near future.

As a part of this initiative, Tromsø will provide its proprietary technology and expertise to convert cocoa shell waste generated by Trong Duc’s operations into biochar, helping to mitigate significant environmental challenges posed by cocoa processing.

The Cocoa Waste Challenge

With an increasing cocoa production in Dong Nai, waste management has emerged as a pressing issue. Trong Duc Cocoa currently produces around 6,000 tonnes of cocoa shells annually, a figure that is projected to rise to approximately 10,000 tonnes over the next five years. The disposal and reuse of this waste have become critical challenges needing effective solutions.

Transforming Waste into Resources

The project aims to utilize cocoa shells as feedstock for biochar production, which can then be used as a sustainable agricultural input. Moreover, the waste heat generated during biochar production will be harnessed to dry additional cocoa shells, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, decreasing production costs, and enhancing operational efficiency.

A Vision for Circular Agriculture

In the long term, the initiative seeks to establish a circular agriculture model that converts agricultural waste into valuable resources, ultimately leading to increased incomes for local farmers and elevating the brand value of the regional cocoa products.

Nguyen Thi Hoan, Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People’s Committee, expressed optimism about the project, stating, “Collaboration with advanced technologies from Japanese companies represents a pivotal step towards improving the quality of regional agriculture and supporting the economic development of our farmers.”

Tromsø’s Expertise and Future Goals

Tromsø integrates biochar production with agricultural applications, chemical analysis, and carbon credit development. Their collaboration with Professor Eiji Nishihara from Tottori University enhances their research capabilities and ensures effective application of biochar using various raw materials.

The firm has conducted extensive trials both in Japan and internationally, demonstrating the effectiveness of biochar across a variety of crops including rice, peanuts, broccoli, and coffee.

Future Collaborations and Sustainability

In 2024, Tromsø plans to collaborate with major companies such as Lotte, Fuji Oil, MC Agri Alliance, and Olam Food Ingredients to explore the efficacy of cocoa shell-derived biochar in enhancing productivity and sustainability for cocoa farmers.

Initial trials have indicated that biochar can stabilize and potentially increase cocoa yields, which contributes to higher incomes for farmers while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts through carbon sequestration.