Treehouse California Almonds Partners with Sitos Group to Launch $9 Million Dollar State-of-the-Art Slow Pyrolysis Biochar Facility

The First Commercial Project of Its Kind on the West Coast Supports Regenerative Agriculture Efforts, Offers Advancements in Sustainable Farming and Carbon Negative Strategy

EARLIMART, CA, October 28, 2024 – Treehouse California Almonds, a leading provider of premium quality almond ingredients to the world’s leading food companies and an award-winning pioneer in the sustainable farming category, today announced it is partnering with California-based biochar producer Sitos Group to launch a $9 million dollar slow pyrolysis biochar manufacturing facility in Delano, California.  The 25,000 square foot facility, the first commercial system with a direct tie to agriculture on the West Coast, is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025. This project will transform almond shells, processed through Treehouse Almond’s hulling and shelling operations, into biochar—repurposing agricultural co-products for sustainable use. The $9 million facility is currently funded by private investment from Sitos Group shareholders and will ultimately be funded through New Markets Tax Credits.

“As climate change continues to come to the forefront of agriculture, this partnership with Sitos Group represents another leading step forward in our company’s commitment to climate-smart action and regenerative agriculture in the almond category,” said Mark Masten, president of Treehouse California Almonds.  “We see this partnership as a tremendous advancement not only for our orchards and California’s environment, but also for our growers and business partners – for many years to come.”

“This landmark partnership with Treehouse California Almonds will establish our first commercial biochar facility, transforming almond shells into a powerful tool for carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. This project represents a significant step toward a circular economy in California’s agricultural sector, taking biochar production to a meaningful scale,” added Mayo Ryan, co-founder and CEO, Sitos Group.

Transforming Sustainable Waste Management in the Almond Category

Biochar, a porous and lightweight carbon-rich material produced through pyrolysis of biomass, offers multiple environmental and agricultural benefits. Its stable carbon structure resists decomposition, preventing the release of methane (CO2) back into the atmosphere and instead sequesters it in soil for centuries acting as a natural coral reef. This long-term carbon sink enhances soil quality by improving moisture retention, increasing nutrient holding capacity, and providing a favorable habitat for beneficial microorganisms. As a result, biochar application often leads to improved crop yields, particularly in nutrient-poor or degraded soils, while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Beyond its agricultural advantages, biochar contributes to environmental sustainability by aiding in soil remediation, reducing nutrient runoff, and offering a solution for organic waste management, thus playing a crucial role in both sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation.

Biochar is now being included as a promising negative emission in a special report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). According to Inside Climate News, 125,000 tons of CO2 were removed worldwide by the durable carbon market – a carbon credit marketplace for human CO2 removal projects – of which biochar was responsible for some 93 percent.

When complete, the Delano slow pyrolysis plant will be able to handle six thousand pounds of almond shell feedstock per hour. The scalable technology produces high-quality biochar and gives new purpose for otherwise costly byproduct. The plant will feature three slow-pyrolysis units, placed side by side, operating as a single unit, a fully integrated drying system with emissions and dust control, and Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) generators to repurpose heat energy from the pyrolysis units into clean electricity that will support the local power grid.  Further, the site offers a sustainable solution for almond growers to improve their carbon footprint and promotes the creation of a more regenerative future while serving as an educational hub for nature-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) through biochar. 

About Treehouse California Almonds

Treehouse California Almonds, a leading provider of premium quality almond ingredients to the world’s leading food companies.   For more than 40 years, vertically integrated Treehouse California Almonds has delivered premium almond products, in all forms, to customers in more than 50 countries worldwide.  High-quality raw almonds, sourced from Treehouse’s orchards, are grown with respect for bees, farmers and the environment, and with commitment to Good Agricultural Practices and Good Management Practices. Treehouse California Almonds is a proud partner in award-winning The Almond Project, a multi-year initiative aimed at advancing sustainable almond farming methods and aims to preserve natural resources, enable ecosystem regeneration, protect farming communities and ensure nutritionally rich California almonds for generations to come. To learn more, visit www.TreehouseAlmonds.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Sitos Group

Sitos Group is a biochar manufacturing company dedicated to supporting regenerative agriculture in California and advancing global carbon removal efforts.  The company is co-founded by Steve McIntyre, owner of Monterey Pacific, LLC. (MPLLC), which manages 20,000 acres of vineyards in Monterey, Napa, Lake, and San Luis Obispo Counties, and Mayo Ryan, a seasoned agriculturist with extensive leadership experience in large agribusiness firms. With strong agricultural roots, the Sitos Group team is committed to revolutionizing the way farmers approach regenerative practices by providing a sustainable solution that improves soil health, mitigates drought, supports local communities, and combats climate change. For more information, visit www.sitos.earth and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Sonya Grigoruk, Public Relations, Treehouse California Almonds:  SonyaGRPR@Gmail.com, 213-810-1016

Faq 

 What is the partnership between Treehouse California Almonds and Sitos Group? 

Treehouse California Almonds is partnering with California-based biochar producer Sitos Group to build a $9 million slow pyrolysis biochar manufacturing facility in Delano, California, expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025. 

 What is biochar and why does it matter? 

Biochar is a porous, carbon-rich material produced by pyrolysis of biomass. Its stable structure resists decomposition, sequestering carbon in soil for centuries rather than releasing it as methane, while improving moisture retention, nutrient holding capacity, and habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms. 

 What raw material will the facility use? 

The facility will process almond shells generated through Treehouse Almond’s hulling and shelling operations, repurposing an agricultural byproduct that would otherwise go to waste. 

 How big is the biochar facility and what is its capacity? 

The plant is a 25,000-square-foot facility capable of processing six thousand pounds of almond shell feedstock per hour, using three slow-pyrolysis units operating together, along with a drying system with emissions and dust control. 

 How is the facility being funded? 

The $9 million facility is currently funded by private investment from Sitos Group shareholders and will ultimately be funded through New Markets Tax Credits. 

 What environmental benefits does the project offer? 

Biochar produced at the facility can improve crop yields in nutrient-poor soils, reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, aid in soil remediation, and reduce nutrient runoff, while the plant’s Organic Rankine Cycle generators convert waste heat from pyrolysis into clean electricity for the local power grid. 

 Who are Treehouse California Almonds and Sitos Group? 

Treehouse California Almonds is a vertically integrated, grower-partnered almond supplier delivering premium almond products to customers in more than 50 countries. Sitos Group is a California-based biochar manufacturing company co-founded by Steve McIntyre and Mayo Ryan, focused on supporting regenerative agriculture and carbon removal.