Biofuel Charcoals have excellent combustion qualities, meaning they burn for a long time. They burn very hot but do not explode and produce less smoke.

Produced through recycled waste products, they are becoming more and more attractive to large and small barbecue restaurants. Their owners are increasingly electing to use biofuel charcoal as they are not only better quality, but contribute to reducing waste and reduce deforestation.

One such small-scale biofuel charcoal production shop – called “BF” – was established four years ago in Omlaing commune’s Ou Angkum village of Kampong Speu province’s Thpong district. Its charcoals are made from recycled coconut shells and palm kernels.

A former porter in South Korea, Heng Makara, now the owner of BF Charcoal Cambodia, said he learned about this type of charcoal during his time overseas.

“When I saw it, it occurred to me that the raw materials used to make it are widely available in my country. When I arrived home, I began to think about making it. In the beginning, I had no knowledge or experience, I only had motivation. Thanks to modern technology, I was able to research the correct techniques online. This skill is also practiced in Thailand and Vietnam, so I used them to supplement my knowledge,” he said.

He added that initially started a small operation in Battambang in 2017, but soon realised that he was too far from his primary market of Phnom Penh. In 2019, he shifted operations to his present location.

The business employs more than 10 people and produces over 3 tonnes of charcoal a day.

He said that if demand increased, he was prepared to scale up production. His raw materials – coconut shells and palm kernels – are all collected from Kampong Speu and Kampong Chhnang provinces.

“First, we grind ordinary fresh coconut shells and then burn them to make charcoal, together with the palm kernels. Later, they are ground thoroughly in a machine, before we combine them with other in a separate machine to produce our final product,” he said.

BF charcoal burns longer than regular charcoal, lasting from three and a half to four hours, two hours longer than its conventional rival. It also produces less smoke, another advantage.

In addition, it is often cheaper than regular charcoal. BF is sold in 20kg bags, and sells for 1,400 riel per kilo. Regular charcoal can cost up to 1,500 riel per kilo.

Makara emphasised that the establishment of his business had also contributed to the reduction of deforestation and helped preserve the environment, as natural forest charcoal required the felling of large numbers of trees.

“We decided to use waste to produce charcoal – instead of using wild charcoal. There is also a large demand from restaurant owners, who burn a lot of it in the course of their operations. We make it easier for them to do business, while helping the environment,” he added.

He said he was always happy to discuss the business with young people who want to learn the skill or cooperate with his business, adding that he would be pleased to share what he knew.

Another man with a similar vision is 28 year old Ly Sovannda. He began manufacturing 100 per cent sawdust charcoal early last year in O commune’s Rolous village of Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district.

He says he receives many orders from customers in Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong provinces, as well as Phnom Penh.

His charcoal is in especially high demand in barbeque shops, he added, saying that he sells it at an affordable price, and earns from $4,000 to $5,000 a month.

Sovannda said that thanks to strong support from his customers, he will soon celebrate two years of operations.

He decided to enter the market after realising that there was a demand for an environmentally friendly alternative to forest charcoal.

“I saw that sawmills were throwing away their sawdust and realised that this was a resource that could be employed. I began studying and experimenting with ways to turn it into a useful charcoal alternative. I wanted to find a substitute because I know that deforestation is increasing every year,” he said.

He added that he had learned a great deal from online research, along with suggestions from friends. He had also received advice from some Chinese engineers that he used to work with.

“In a single month we produce 10 to 15 tonnes of charcoal,” he said.