[Terrapreta] Company wants to use oil-spill tech as biochar feedstock?

[Biopact]

Check out the somewhat strange press release from a company that deals with oil spills. I'm not sure what exactly this company wants to do, but it seems like they want to use their oil spill technology, and use the oil-rich residue product as a biochar feedstock. 

Apparently, their oil spill technology consists of some biomass based material that absorbs up oil. After performing its function, they clean out the oil, turn the contaminated biomass into pellets, and char the material. Then they put the biochar in the soil.

Seems a rather interesting concept, even though the oil residue left in the biomass obviously lowers the renewability credentials of the feedstock (not sure how much oil in the biomass we're talking about). Also, they are dependent on oil spills - not something that they would want to scale up, I hope... :-)

Anyways, check out the release. It contains a promo video:

http://www.mopenvironmental.com/content/newsroom/PRJune4.html
June 19th, 2008 - Bath, New Hampshire 

BATH, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MOP Environmental (MOPN.pk), a manufacturer of oil spill removal products, announces: The "Biochar Provisions" in the recently approved US Farm Bill of 2008, specifically deals with the Carbon-Negative Biomass Energy and Soil Quality Initiative, consistent with the Company's "Total Earth Recovery MissionT." www.mopenvironmental.com/21Video/mop_html/mop_layout.html 

MOP uses water power and recycled waste to make patented MOP® Maximum Oil Pickup & associated equipment. Unlike the high costs associated with oil spill response, MOP technology recovers spilled oil at a profit. After oil extraction, left-over MOP is processed into pellet fuel or through Carbon-Negative Bio-Char Technology is used as soil amendment to boost agricultural yields 200% to 400% while also extracting 100% of the available energy as non-polluting hydrogen based fuel. 

According to CEO Charles Diamond: "The Carbon-Negative Biochar process we use in our Mission is earmarked for funding in the Biochar provisions of the $289 billion, 2008 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419), adopted this May. This proven technology is commonly acknowledged as the only method to reverse Global Warming within this century. Additionally, we have initiated the Biochar grant application process in accordance with the Bill's provisions." 

2008 Farm Bill - Biochar Provisions: http://www.ethanolmarket.com/PressReleaseUSHouse051508 

Forward-looking statements in this news release are pursuant to safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this release are not strictly historical statements, including without limitation, management's plans, objectives for future operations, assessment of market factors, statements regarding strategy, company plans and strategic partners that constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as success in acquiring funding for machinery and materials, maintaining needed government relationships, customers, and successfully executing their business plan, which are not guarantees of the company's future performance and could cause the company's actual future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. 

About MOP: MOP Environmental is the manufacturer of oil-spill clean up products made from recycled waste that can be used on land or water. Applications include loose particulate, booms, pillows, pads, bilge skimmers and spill response kits. See product catalog, demonstrations and ordering information at our website. www.mopenvironmental.com 

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Cheers, Lorenzo
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