End Markets Committee Report

May 2024

Our most recent meeting featured Biochar Now’s James Gaspard and the US Biochar Institute’s Tom Miles and Myles Gray, PE. James first shared the latest updates from Biochar Now and reviewed their production process. Many of our members had the opportunity to view their Denver facility several years ago. Of course, the keys to producing this specially created carbon include not only air, fuel, and heat but an oxygen-deprived environment and high temperatures. The result of using Biochar Now’s patented equipment and manufacturing process is a high-quality, carbon-neutral product. James provided examples of the material they take in, including treated and painted wood and other varieties, and a sampling of the markets interested in their products.

Former C&D World presenter Tom Miles, the US Biochar Initiative Executive Director, was our second speaker. He was joined by Myles Gray, Program Director for USBI. This nonprofit organization has been promoting Biochar's sustainable production and use since 2009. In the past five years, USBI has made a concerted effort to move the conversation regarding using Biochar from academia to industry. Getting the right product into the right market is critical, as not all Biochars are produced the same way and are often made for different markets. The variety of markets that can benefit from this product is vast. Myles added, “Biochar is leading the way worldwide in delivering carbon dioxide removal credits. CDRA members engaged in a lively Q&A session at the end and Chair, Will Hancock, extended a standing invitation for any member to ‘stay after’ for smaller group discussion if seeking advice for a troublesome material or to share a particular breakthrough.