"We Row in the Same Direction to Support the Growth of the Biochar Industry in North America"

Why It Matters

Uniting standards, policy, and market actors accelerates biochar’s role in carbon sequestration and sustainable agriculture, positioning the sector for increased federal support and private investment. The conference serves as a catalyst for industry‑wide alignment and growth.

Key Takeaways

• ABI and USBC unite to host 2026 North American Biochar Conference
• Conference will showcase ANSI/ASABE/USBI S668 biochar measurement standard
• Biochar Atlas tool will classify carbon storage and fertilizer value
• Policy shift moves federal focus from awareness to implementation
• Event expects ~1,000 industry professionals, fostering cross‑sector collaboration

Pulse Analysis

Biochar, a carbon‑rich material derived from biomass, is gaining traction as a climate‑mitigation tool and soil amendment. As governments and investors seek tangible ways to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions, the sector’s fragmented standards have hampered large‑scale deployment. By establishing consistent testing protocols like the ANSI/ASABE/USBI S668 standard, the American Biochar Institute is laying the groundwork for reliable performance data, which in turn builds confidence among agribusinesses and carbon‑credit markets.

The newly forged alliance between ABI and the US Biochar Coalition marks a strategic realignment that blends technical rigor with policy influence. Recent Washington fly‑ins have revealed a shift from mere awareness to concrete implementation, with the USDA’s NRCS and the US Forest Service exploring grant programs, and the EPA refining regulatory guidance for biochar production. This dual‑track approach—standards on one side, advocacy on the other—creates a unified front that can more effectively lobby for incentives, streamline permitting, and integrate biochar into federal climate strategies.

The 2026 North American Biochar Conference in New Orleans will be the first major gathering under this joint banner, drawing roughly 1,000 stakeholders ranging from researchers to corporate investors. Attendees will preview the Biochar Atlas, an online tool that classifies feedstock based on carbon‑storage potential and agronomic value, facilitating smarter purchasing decisions. By concentrating expertise, policy updates, and market opportunities in one venue, the conference is poised to accelerate commercialization, attract capital, and ultimately expand biochar’s contribution to sustainable agriculture and carbon‑negative supply chains.