BiokohlenWerk Zwickau relies on a SYNCRAFT Reversepowerplant - implementation by Procarbic

Ingolstadt / Schwaz / Zwickau, November 25, 2025 - A pioneering plant for the innovative production of green carbon and renewable energy is being built in Zwickau. BiokohlenWerk Zwickau GmbH has signed a long-term heat supply contract with Zwickauer Energieversorgung GmbH (ZEV) and is relying on a Reversepowerplant from SYNCRAFT.

Procarbic Management GmbH, a Prolignis Group company based in Ingolstadt, is the lead project partner coordinating the entire implementation - from planning and the approval process through to commissioning.

Regional heat, permanent carbon sequestration

The project combines regional heat supply with active climate protection: the Reversepowerplant converts regional forest residues in the form of wood chips into renewable energy and green carbon - a solid, carbon-rich end product that binds_CO2 for centuries. The resulting process heat is fed into ZEV's district heating network. This makes a significant contribution to achieving the statutory decarbonization targets for the heat supply in Zwickau.

The Managing Director of Procarbic Management GmbH, Leonhard Wobbe, emphasizes: "Our goal is to implement pyrolysis plants in an economical, technical and regulatory way so that they function as a building block of the heat transition. The project in Zwickau is an example of how CO₂ capture, efficiency and regional value creation come together."

SYNCRAFT technology: Proven and efficient

A Reversepowerplant from SYNCRAFT was chosen: "Our technology enables the highly efficient conversion of regional forest residues or energy wood into renewable energy and the valuable additional product Green Carbon," says Marcel Huber, CEO of SYNCRAFT.

The plant in Zwickau is based on two CW1800x2-1000 units with a combined electrical output of 2 MW. An automated crane not only feeds the SYNCRAFT modules, but also supplies an on-site biomass boiler. The SYNCRAFT drying system with boxes is used for optimum preparation of the fuel.

A special feature of the project is the flexible carbon handling: the green carbon produced is filled dry into a silo and can be loaded from there in various degrees of moisture. This creates maximum flexibility for future distribution channels for the green carbon. This concept was developed jointly by SYNCRAFT and Procarbic. The entire plant produces around 2,000 tons of green carbon (atro) per year.

Climate-positive technology with permanent CO₂-binding

The production of green carbon is considered a negative emission technology (NET) if it is permanently bound in the application. By producing green carbon in the Reversepowerplant , atmospheric CO₂ is permanently bound - according to scientific studies over periods of more than a thousand years. SYNCRAFT's green carbon stores around 30% of the CO₂ contained in wood and - depending on the application - can become a permanent CO₂ sink.

The green carbon produced is used in a variety of applications, including as an additive in climate-friendly building materials in the construction industry, metallurgy, agriculture, horticulture and landscaping. There it improves the water storage capacity and nutrient fixation of the soil. The Zwickau project is therefore not only contributing to the decarbonization of the heat supply, but also to the defossilization of the entire value chain.

Commissioning and outlook

Commissioning is planned for 2027. The project stands for regional value creation, technological innovation and active climate protection. Together, all those involved are sending out a strong signal for a sustainable heat supply.

About the project partners

BiokohlenWerk Zwickau GmbH is a company that emerged from the Prolignis Group in Ingolstadt and is the owner and client of the pyrolysis plant in Zwickau.
Procarbic Management GmbH, a Prolignis Group company, is your partner for project and material flow management in the field of renewable energies and biochar and creates production capacities for the manufacture of high-quality biochar as well as affordable, green energy solutions for trade and industry. Procarbic is responsible for the technical, organizational and regulatory implementation of the project.
Zwickauer Energieversorgung GmbH (ZEV) is the local energy supplier and heat customer for the project.
SYNCRAFT GmbH develops and builds innovative Reversepowerplants that convert regional forest residues and energy wood into renewable energy, Green Gas and green carbon.