Turning Forest Waste and Residue into Value with Michael Schmitt

Michael Schmitt, Director of Sales & Marketing at Air Burners, explains how air curtain burners provide a safer, low-emission alternative to slash burning and wood chipping. We cover innovations like the BurnBoss and CharBoss, which help the US Forest Service and landowners turn forest residues into biochar, cut wildfire risk, and even generate on-site electricity. Michael shares case studies from wildfire recovery, disaster zones, and private forestry, showing how this technology creates new value streams and supports sustainable forest management.Quote"The air curtain traps smoke particles for fractions of a second, causing them to reburn. That secondary burn reduces the smoke so much that it often just looks like heat waves leaving the firebox."Useful ResourcesThe ForestLink newsletter signupAir BurnersChapters[0:12] Welcome and guest introduction[0:32] Michael’s favourite tree[1:08] What Air Burners does[2:25] Who uses air curtain burners[3:02] Work with US Forest Service[3:37] Development of the BurnBoss[5:17] From BurnBoss to CharBoss[6:00] How the technology works[7:48] Types of wood waste handled[9:19] Emissions and comparisons[12:17] Drivers behind biomass reduction[14:21] On-site power generation with BioCharger[16:42] Emissions testing and regulation[17:20] Transportation and cost savings[19:00] Case study: vineyard owner in California[20:50] Air Burner Certified Contractors (ACCs)[21:05] Biochar benefits and crop results[24:03] Biochar and carbon credits[25:49] Logistics and market access for biochar[27:38] Air Burners in wildfire-prone regions[31:07] Limitations and site requirements[33:29] Case study: PG&E wildfire mitigation[36:23] Air Burners in disaster recovery[38:08] Advice for new forest investors[39:51] Where to learn more about Air Burners[40:45] Closing remarksProduction TeamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.