Biochar for intensification of plant-related industries to meet productivity, sustainability and economic goals: A review

•Biochar is reviewed as a vehicle to assist plant-related industries meet productivity, sustainability and economic goals.Raw biochar accumulates compounds that have positive, negative or neutral influences on plants and microbes; such non-uniformity hinders commercial viability.•Soil incorporation of raw biochar has unrealistic payback times.•Biochar standardisation, bioengineering higher-value commodities from biochar and closing the circular economy are strategic opportunities that will maximise biochar benefits and profitability for plant-related sectors.