Sitos Treehouse's $10M Almond Shell Biochar Plant Ships First Load, Aims for Soil Carbon and Less Fertilizer

California's Central Valley now has a commercial biochar plant turning almond shells into a soil amendment. The Sitos Treehouse facility in Delano uses slow pyrolysis to bake the shells in a low-oxygen environment, locking carbon into a stable solid instead of letting it decompose or burn. The first load has been shipped, and the plant is close to full commercial production. Biochar is then blended with compost and applied to fields. Supporters say it can improve moisture retention, cut fertilizer use, and help crops handle drought. The company also plans to capture energy from the pyrolysis process for additional clean power. Almond hullers face rising costs to dispose of shells, so this is a chance to turn a waste stream into a carbon removal product. The next step is verification. For biochar to count in carbon markets, the sequestration needs to be measured and durable, and the project needs a clear baseline.