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Abstract. This paper describes a new oxidative torrefaction methodology using the spontaneous self-heating of biomass under a high-pressure environment. The torrefaction of wet dairy cattle manure was initiated below 100 °C and subsequent self-heating of the biomass reached the torrefaction temperatures. Examination of the initiation temperature required for the self-heating of biomass showed that the lower limit was between 85 and 90 °C under a pressure of 1.0 MPa. Comparing the processes performed at 0.1 (for comparison) and 1.0 MPa, we found the high-pressure environment promoted oxidation around 100 °C by preventing heat loss due to water evaporation. Overall, the biomass was converted by the proposed torrefaction process to dried biochar through a combination of oxidative decomposition and drying at 160–170 °C.