United States Biochar Market

United States Biochar Market Overview:

The United States biochar market size was valued at USD 543.00 Million in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 1,383.00 Million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.90% from 2025-2033. The South United States is currently dominating the market owing to its increasing uses in regenerative agriculture, green infrastructure, and animal husbandry. Heightened focus on climate resilience, urban soil regeneration, and regenerative agriculture is propelling adoption both in rural and urban areas. Favorable policies as well as low-emission solution demand further increase its attractiveness. Biochar's ability to sequester carbon and recycle waste also helps advance circular economy ambitions. These conditions combined are adding to the growing United States biochar market share in recent years.

In the United States, the growing application of biochar in urban soil management and green infrastructure is becoming a key driver of the market. With municipalities and urban planners focusing on climate-resilient development, biochar is being incorporated into projects that seek to enhance stormwater management, enhance soil permeability, and promote urban tree health. Its capacity to promote water retention and prevent nutrient leaching makes it especially well-suited for green roofs, bioswales, and urban landscapes. Interest from the public and private sectors in sustainable urban planning is generating standards and pilot projects where biochar is a primary soil amendment. According to the reports, in October 2024, BluSky Carbon initiated biochar production at its Warren, Arkansas plant using Vulcan Heavy pyrolysis units with a goal of 40,000 tons per year under a $105 million, 10-year supply deal. Moreover, the lightweight structure of the material and carbon storage offer additional value in high-density urban environments where space optimization and environmental performance are paramount. This incorporation of biochar in constructed settings sits well with state and federal efforts in ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation, supporting its place in the sustainable evolution of urban infrastructure.

Another key driving factor for the United States biochar market outlook is the growing need for sustainable livestock production. Biochar is increasingly adopted as an animal feed supplement and tool for managing manure because it has the capability to enhance gut health, reduce methane emissions, and lower odor from animal waste. When blended with feed, biochar enhances nutrient assimilation and digestibility, while application to bedding or compost systems minimizes ammonia volatilization and enhances compost quality. All these are conducive to animal health as well as operational sustainability, increasing adoption among livestock producers. Regulations for mitigating agricultural emissions and fertilizer runoff are also pushing the industry towards low-impact practices, where biochar is a multifunctional option. The increasing emphasis on regenerative agriculture and circular use of resources is also driving the incorporation of biochar in animal systems, establishing closed-loop systems that turn waste into high-quality soil amendments. As per the reports, in February 2025, Qualterra raised $4.5 million to increase carbon-trapping biochar production from farm waste, introduce biochar carbon credits, and expand operations in high-tech greenhouse complexes in Washington. Furthermore, this transformation is leading to an enhanced sustainable and efficient agri-food system in the U.S.

United States biochar Market Trends:

Increased Adoption of Organic Farming and Sustainable Agriculture

The United States biochar market trends are being significantly led by the increasing sustainable agriculture. In the last ten years, about 40% of American farms have implemented environmentally conscious practices, reflecting a growing emphasis on soil health and regenerative agriculture. This has coincided with the rising adoption of biochar to improve soil structure, retain nutrients, and promote microbe activity. In addition, growth in certified organic farming has been a leading driver in creating demand. Between 2011 and 2021, certified organic cropland increased by 79% to 3.6 million acres. During the same period, certified organic farms boosted by more than 90% to 17,445 farms. Biochar's potential to enhance soil fertility and crop yields makes it a valuable input for organic production systems. With consumers and farmers alike embracing green practices, biochar has become a key component of long-term soil management approaches, solidifying its place in the U.S. biochar industry and bolstering the sustainable agriculture economy.

The Role of Biochar in Carbon Sequestration and Environmental Rehabilitation

Biochar's environmental uses are ever more at the forefront of its market expansion in the United States. Tighter environmental standards and the widespread need to address climate change have generated interest in carbon sequestration measures. Biochar, because of its porous nature and stability in soil for decades, traps carbon efficiently to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Its use has also grown in the treatment of wastewater, where biochar removes impurities and facilitates green remediation. These dual roles of air pollution mitigation and reduction of atmospheric carbon have made the biochar appealing to regulators, ecologists, and industry participants. The accelerating convergence with circular economy principles further fuels demand. Through the use of agricultural waste to create biochar, manufacturers solve the problem of waste management while engaging in soil regeneration. As American policy comes more and more to support climate-resilient agriculture, biochar finds itself both a carbon-negative product and a tool for regeneration. These qualities make it the increasingly dominant force in environmental markets and sustainability-led infrastructure.

Government Incentives and Technological Developments Fueling Industry Growth

United States biochar market growth is well-supported by favorable government policy and increasing investment in research and development. Funds from the public sector and research support have driven awareness and application of biochar technologies in a variety of industries. In particular, in November 2024, the USDA invested USD 120 million in six biochar initiatives in states such as California, Arkansas, and South Dakota. These grants focus on enhancing home-country fertilizer production and increasing biochar plant capabilities. Targeted investment in this manner stimulates local production while improving supply chain efficiencies across the board. Aside from monetary aid, research collaborations among universities and manufacturers are pushing technological process development, facilitating more effective pyrolysis systems and varied uses for biochar. The renewable energy industry has also recognized biochar as a potential biomass feedstock, especially in cogeneration and emissions reduction. These converging initiatives—government subsidies, R&D assistance, and inter-sector cooperation—are speeding up innovation and market entry, ensuring a strong future for the U.S. biochar sector.

United States Biochar Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the United States biochar market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels from 2025-2033. The market has been categorized based on feedstock type, technology type, product form, and application.

Analysis by Feedstock Type:

• Woody Biomass
• Agricultural Waste
• Animal Manure
• Others

Woody biomass led the United States biochar market forecast by feedstock in 2024 with a 49.8% market share. The reason for this is its rich supply from forestry residues, wood processing waste, and urban wood recycling programs. Woody feedstocks tend to create biochar with greater carbon content, structural stability, and surface area, rendering it most suitable for soil conditioning, filtration, and sequestering carbon. The comparative ease of harvesting and homogeneity of wood-based materials guarantee more even quality and yield, which are requisites for industrial-scale production of biochar. In addition, woody biomass is generally regarded as more sustainable because it is renewing and can utilize forest thinning, deadwood, and storm debris that prevent wildfires and are useful for forest management. Use of woody biomass also supports federal and state-level waste reduction incentives and circular bioeconomy practices, which add to its firm market position in the biochar market across the United States.

Analysis by Technology Type:

• Slow Pyrolysis
• Fast Pyrolysis
• Gasification
• Hydrothermal Carbonization
• Others

Slow pyrolysis dominated the United States biochar market in 2024 with a market share of 54.9%. This predominance is largely attributed to its ability to produce high biochar yield efficiency and its flexibility for the manufacture of stable carbon-rich products ideal for long-term carbon sequestration and soil amendment. In contrast to fast pyrolysis or gasification, slow pyrolysis provides improved control of the carbonization process by heating at slower rates and longer residence times. This yields higher-quality biochar with better porosity, nutrient adsorption, and soil conditioning capabilities. The technology is also favored for the treatment of a broad spectrum of feedstocks, including agricultural wastes, forest residues, and organic by-products. Slow pyrolysis systems are also better suited for small to medium-size installations, which makes them most suitable for decentralized use and rural requirements. The reliability of performance and environmental merits of the technology keep it as the best option for agricultural, environmental, and industrial applications in the United States.

Analysis by Product Form:

• Coarse and Fine Chips
• Fine Powder
• Pellets, Granules and Prills
• Liquid Suspension

Fine and coarse biochar chips are most frequently applied for soil conditioning in landscaping and agriculture. Their porous nature enhances aeration and water retention. These chips are preferred for long-term soil amendment purposes because of their reduced rate of decomposition, facilitating sustainable land restoration and erosion control in diverse climatic zones.

High-quality biochar powder has extensive use in specialty farming, animal feed supplement, and environmental restoration. Its greater surface area increases nutrient uptake and microbial stimulation in soil. This product is best suited to mixing with fertilizers or compost and provides immediate improvement of the soil and carbon sequestration value in organic and regenerative agriculture.

Biochar pellets, granules, and prills present controlled-release properties and convenience for application and are therefore well-suited for large-scale mechanized agriculture. Their regularity enhances dispersion in the soil, lessening labor and exposure to dust. They are widely accepted in commercial farming, particularly in precision farming, where consistency and efficiency determine optimal use of crop productivity.

Liquid suspension biochar is becoming an increasingly popular convenient form for use in fertigation and foliar sprays. It provides even distribution using irrigation systems and rapid delivery of nutrients. Efficacious especially in greenhouse and horticultural environments, this form enables rapid soil response, enhances microbial association, and is becoming popular in intensive farming and hydroponic cultivation.

Analysis by Application:

• Farming
• Gardening
• Livestock Feed
• Soil, Water and Air Treatment
• Others

Farming is the major application sector of the United States biochar market in 2024, fueled by the material's established advantages to improve soil fertility, water holding capacity, and yields. Biochar is being adopted more and more into sustainable agriculture to enhance nutrient supply, lessen fertilizer reliance, and improve microbial activity within soils. These advantages are particularly pronounced for distressed lands, where biochar improves the health of soil and enhances production. With growing interest in regenerative agriculture and organic food farming, the use of biochar among small and large farmers is increasing nationwide. In addition, farmers are making the most of the pH balancing and soil compaction reducing capability of biochar to provide ideal conditions for plant growth. USDA and local agricultural extension services are also promoting the utilization of biochar in cropping systems, horticulture, and specialty crops. As agriculture increasingly embraces sustainable methods, biochar is still one of the major inputs, ensuring sustained productivity and environmental stability.

Regional Analysis:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West

The South United States was the top regional market for biochar in 2024, driven by a benign climate, large-scale agricultural activity, and rich forest cover. These include states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida, which are significant contributors, contributing from their rich crop and livestock farming activities that leverage the soil-conditioning and water-retaining abilities of biochar. The South region also has a majority of the biochar production plants due to ready access to woody biomass and farm residue. Regional sustainability objectives, carbon credit initiatives, and pilot studies at universities have promoted wider knowledge and incorporation of biochar in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental rehabilitation projects. Most notably, application of biochar in erosion control, coal mine reclamation, and wetland restoration has increased exponentially in this region. With its rich ecosystems and robust institutional backing for sustainable activity, the Southern U.S. remains at the forefront of production and consumption of biochar, cementing its domination of the national market further.

Competitive Landscape:

The United States biochar market competes on the basis of increasing innovation, regional diversification, and rising specialization by application. Producers are highly emphasizing product quality through customization of biochar characteristics to targeted end-use markets, including soil conditioners, stormwater management, and carbon credits. Numerous players are investing in cutting-edge pyrolysis technologies to boost yield efficiency and carbon capture, allowing them to address changing environmental regulations. Market participants are also amplifying distribution networks and forging strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, and agricultural cooperatives to facilitate field trials and increase visibility. New entrants are accessing niche markets such as landscaping, animal bedding, and turf care, further expanding offerings. Digital platforms and e-commerce are also being highly utilized for marketing and direct-to-farm sales. The environment is getting intensely competitive as businesses look for USDA certifications, carbon offset verification, and performance benchmarking to stand out and gain a stronger presence in the transforming United States biochar market.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the United States biochar market with detailed profiles of all major companies.

Latest News and Developments:

• May 2025: Exomad Green signed the world's largest biochar carbon removal contract with Microsoft, removing 1.24 million tonnes of CO₂ for 10 years. The transaction, monitored by Carbonfuture MRV+, represents a new standard for scalable, transparent carbon removal with added local community and soil health benefits.
• February 2025: Qualterra raised USD 4.5 Million to increase its biochar manufacturing and introduce carbon credits. The firm will expand operations with a new greenhouse campus in Washington, boosting plant production by tenfold. Qualterra incorporates biochar to add fertility to the soil, increase crop output, and sequester carbon while also providing testing for plants.
• February 2025: CarbonZero.Eco raised seed funding worth USD 3.5 Million and signed USD 7 Million worth of deals with 300 California almond farms. The company plans to sequester 1.5 million tons of CO2 by repurposing almond shells into biochar. It opens its first production facility in Colusa County, CA, in April 2025.
• December 2024: Clean Maine Carbon (CMC) launched its inaugural biochar CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) on the Puro.earth registry, in collaboration with Flowcarbon. The project targets the conversion of low-value woody biomass into biochar, promoting climate change mitigation, sustainable agriculture, and carbon sequestration for the benefit of rural Maine communities.
• October 2024: Treehouse California Almonds and Sitos Group launched a USD 9 Million biochar production facility in Delano, California. The 25,000-square-foot facility, which will be operational by the end of 2025, will upcycle almond shells into biochar that improves soil health, sequesters CO2 emissions, and supports sustainable agriculture and carbon-negative practices.
• July 2024: Applied Carbon raised USD 21.5 Million in Series A funding to scale up mobile biochar production technology. The firm turns agricultural waste into biochar, enhancing soil health and offering carbon removal. The funding will be used for deployment in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, delivering agricultural and environmental impacts.

United States Biochar Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the United States biochar market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the United States biochar market.
• Porter's Five Forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the biochar industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.