​Wood Vinegar FAQs

Wood Vinegar, also known as pyroligneous acid (PA), is a natural liquid produced during the pyrolysis of biomass. During pyrolysis, biomass is heated in a low-oxygen environment and the vapours released from the process are captured and condensed.The resulting liquid contains a complex mixture of naturally occurring compounds, including organic acids, with acetic acid being a major component, along with phenolic compounds and other organic constituents.PyroAg Wood Vinegar is produced from clean biomass and undergoes a controlled refining and quality assurance process before being supplied for agricultural use.

Wood Vinegar is made by capturing and condensing the vapours produced during the pyrolysis of biomass. During pyrolysis, biomass is heated in a controlled, low-oxygen environment, producing biochar as a solid product and vapours that can be cooled and condensed into Wood Vinegar.The resulting liquid is then settled and refined to remove unwanted components and produce a consistent product suitable for agricultural use.PyroAg manufactures and refines its Wood Vinegar in Australia using a carefully controlled production and quality assurance process.

Wood Vinegar is a complex mixture of naturally occurring organic compounds. Organic acids, including acetic acid, and phenolic compounds are among its important constituents.The composition of Wood Vinegar can vary considerably depending on the biomass feedstock, pyrolysis conditions and refining process. PyroAg has invested extensively in refining, quality assurance and batch testing to produce a consistent product suitable for commercial agricultural application.PyroAg’s SDS identifies the product as 100% pyroligneous acid, with acetic acid at less than 8%.

No. Wood Vinegar and biochar are produced through the same pyrolysis process, but they are different products.Biochar is the solid, carbon-rich material remaining after biomass is processed. Wood Vinegar is produced by condensing vapours released during pyrolysis. The remaining gases can also be captured or used as an energy source, depending on the production system.Because they have different physical and chemical properties, Wood Vinegar and biochar perform different roles in agricultural systems.Products described as liquid biochar are also different from Wood Vinegar. Liquid biochar generally contains fine biochar particles suspended or dispersed in a liquid, whereas Wood Vinegar is produced by capturing and condensing vapours released during pyrolysis.

Yes. Wood Vinegar and pyroligneous acid are two names used for the liquid produced when vapours released during the pyrolysis of biomass are cooled and condensed.Wood Vinegar is the more commonly used name in agricultural and commercial settings, while pyroligneous acid is the technical term often used in scientific research and product documentation.PyroAg uses the term Wood Vinegar throughout this website, but you may see pyroligneous acid used when reading research, technical information or safety documentation.

Wood Vinegar and smoke water are closely related, but they are not always the same.Smoke water is generally produced by passing or capturing smoke in water, and is commonly associated with seed germination and plant propagation. Wood Vinegar, also known as pyroligneous acid, is produced by cooling and condensing vapours released during the pyrolysis of biomass.Both can contain a complex range of smoke-derived compounds, which is why the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, their composition can vary depending on how they are produced.PyroAg is a Wood Vinegar produced through controlled pyrolysis, followed by refinement and quality testing for agricultural use.

Karrikins are naturally occurring plant signalling compounds formed when plant material is heated or burned. They were first identified through research into the way smoke can stimulate seed germination and are best known for their role in triggering germination in some plant species.Karrikins are not the same thing as Wood Vinegar. Wood Vinegar is a complex liquid containing many naturally occurring compounds formed during the thermal decomposition of biomass, while karrikins are a specific family of smoke-derived compounds.Karrikins are commonly associated with smoke water and have also been studied in relation to other pyrolysis-derived materials. Research into karrikins is helping scientists better understand how plants respond to chemical signals produced when plant material is heated or burned.

Yes. Biochar is produced alongside Wood Vinegar as part of the pyrolysis process. However, PyroAg biochar is not currently available for purchase through our online store due to current production demand.If you're interested in purchasing biochar, contact the PyroAg team to discuss current availability and supply options.

PyroAg Wood Vinegar is an agricultural product and is not intended for human consumption. When used as directed, it is applied in highly diluted concentrations for agricultural and horticultural applications.The concentrated product is naturally acidic and should be handled with appropriate care. Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged contact with skin, and always follow the handling, storage and first-aid information provided in the current PyroAg Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Wood Vinegar has a distinctive smoky, wood-fired aroma, which comes from the natural compounds produced during the pyrolysis of biomass. The concentrated product has a strong smell, but it becomes considerably less noticeable once diluted for agricultural application.After application, the aroma gradually dissipates as the product is diluted, absorbed and exposed to the environment. How long it remains noticeable will vary depending on the application rate, weather conditions and where it is applied.The smoky aroma is a natural characteristic of Wood Vinegar and does not indicate that the product contains added fragrances or synthetic chemicals.

PyroAg Wood Vinegar is approved for use as an input in organic production under its current SXC Allowed Input certification.This is different from the product itself being described as “certified organic”. PyroAg Wood Vinegar is manufactured from natural biomass without added synthetic ingredients and is approved as an input for eligible organic farming systems.Growers operating under an organic certification program should ensure the product is used in accordance with the requirements of their relevant certification scheme.Download Organic Certification

Yes. PyroAg Wood Vinegar is suitable for use in organic farming systems and holds current SXC Allowed Input certification.Produced from biomass through pyrolysis, PyroAg Wood Vinegar can be incorporated into existing organic, sustainable and biologically focused farming programs.Growers operating under certified organic production should always ensure products are used in accordance with the requirements of their relevant organic certification program.View Organic Certification