History

The story begins in 1993 in a large forest area of Eastern France. Three brothers, Pierre, Jean and Philippe Soler-My, set up their first Carbonex charcoal production unit in the vicinity of a village called Gyé-sur-Seine (Eastern France). They soon realize, though, after an encouraging start, that this industrial sector is open to improvement: not only are local production methods small-scaled and somewhat outdated, but most of the charcoal consumed in France is imported from countries where salaries are derisory and environmental constraints, nonexistent.

After developing their carbonization activities in Brazil, the Soler-My brothers chose to design a sustainable industrial technology in France. Their objective was clear to produce large volumes of biocarbon with high energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact. After several years of research and investment, they developed a unique exothermic carbonization process.

This process operates as a biomass biorefinery:

• wood residues from locally and sustainably managed forests are transformed into biocarbon
• the energy generated during the process is recovered and valorized

This technology enables the simultaneous production of:

• renewable carbon for industry
• locally generated green electricity

Today, this production supplies the equivalent of around 10,000 households with renewable electricity. In 2012, SOLER Group commissioned its first industrial biorefinery in Gyé-sur-Seine (Grand Est, France).

Seven years later, the family company reached a new milestone. A second biorefinery was commissioned at the Gyé-sur-Seine site. Together, these facilities now supply the equivalent of approximately 15,000 households with renewable electricity. A new production site was then built in Lacanau (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), at La Girondine de Carbonisation. These industrial facilities, which did not exist anywhere a few years earlier, have now demonstrated their efficiency, energy autonomy, and long-term durability.

SOLER Group is fully committed to a green and responsible economy. Each year, the company purchases several million euros’ worth of wood in Champagne-Ardenne, Burgundy, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. These supplies are secured through long-term partnerships with forestry operators and the French National Forest Office (ONF).

This model supports:

• local economic development
• sustainable forest management
• a responsible energy transition

SOLER Group is also committed to fairly compensating all stakeholders across the value chain. Its model is based on a circular biomass economy, which contributes to:

• preserving biodiversity
• supporting local supply chains
• strengthening social cohesion
• enabling a low-carbon future

With more than 10 years of experience in the design and operation of biorefineries, SOLER Group supports industries in their transition toward carbon neutrality. Many sectors are concerned:

• metallurgy
• chemicals
• construction materials
• energy
• agriculture

All face the same challenge reducing their carbon footprint without compromising industrial performance.

SOLER Group’s approach is based on two key pillars:

• sustainable management of local forests
• the production of biocarbon and biochar from biomass residues

These materials provide a direct alternative to fossil carbon. They can be used as:

• reducing agents in industrial processes
• carbon sinks
• feedstock for low-carbon or carbon-negative materials

The solutions developed by SOLER Group enable industries to decarbonize their operations while valorizing local resources. They contribute to reconciling industrial performance with environmental requirements.