Pioneering Malaysia’s First Biochar-Enhanced Prestressed Concrete Pole

At PMW Group, we are proud to collaborate with EDOTCO Malaysia on the nation’s first-ever Biochar-Enhanced Prestressed Concrete Telecommunication Pole, officially launched at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Sintok, Kedah. This milestone marks a major step forward in sustainable engineering, proving that critical national infrastructure can be both high-performance and low-carbon.

This initiative was officiated by Prof. Dr. Ram Al Jaffri Saad, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) of UUM, and attended by representatives from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), together with Edotco and our team at PMW.

This product represents a leap forward in sustainable infrastructure, addressing the significant carbon footprint traditionally associated with concrete production, where the cement industry accounts for roughly 8% of global Co2 emissions. PMW Biochar Concrete Pole delivers exceptional performance while significantly mitigating environmental impact.

Here are the key benefits of incorporating biochar into our concrete poles:

1. Measurable Carbon Reduction and Sequestration

The Biochar Pole is engineered for a powerful dual approach to lowering greenhouse gas emissions:

• Carbon Sequestration: Biochar, a carbon-rich, stable material produced through the pyrolysis of organic waste (like agricultural residues or wood chips), actively captures and stores carbon within the concrete pole structure, turning the pole into a long-term carbon sink. This process is known as carbon sequestration.
• Reduced Emissions from Production: By replacing a portion of conventional cement (typically 2% to 5%) with biochar, we directly reduce the carbon emissions associated with the energy-intensive cement manufacturing process.

Overall, our Biochar-enhanced poles achieve an estimated 10-15% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional concrete poles. The sequestration capability is substantial: 1 kg of biochar can sequester approximately 2.5 kg of Co2. Deploying these poles along just 1 km of an overhead line saves roughly 1,183 kg Co2

2. Enhanced Durability and Performance

Using biochar as an additive does not compromise quality; it enhances the pole’s engineering performance, supporting long-term reliability and lower maintenance costs:

• Increased Strength: Biochar enhances the compressive and tensile strength of the concrete.  Our studies, replacing 5% of cement with biochar can enhance compressive strength by around 15%.
• Improved Durability: The material improves the resistance to cracking and increases the overall lifespan of the poles. Biochar’s porous nature allows it to act as an internal curing agent, retaining water and slowly releasing it to promote continuous hydration reactions, which helps prevent shrinkage cracks and contributes to long-term durability.
• Lighter Weight: The lightweight, porous nature of biochar contributes to a lighter finished pole, which makes it easier to transport and install, reducing logistics costs and transport-related environmental impacts.