The U.S. biochar industry nearly doubled production from 86,893 metric tons in 2023 to 151,329 metric tons in 2025, according to a new report from the American Biochar Institute. The industry's total economic value tripled over that period. Most current production uses woody biomass from forestry, but waste feedstocks like sewage sludge, construction debris, and food waste are growing. Startups like Orbital Biocarbon and Amp Robotics are developing systems to turn municipal waste into biochar. Biochar is created by heating organic matter without oxygen, producing a stable form of carbon that can be used as a soil amendment and for carbon sequestration. About 94% of U.S. biochar companies now generate revenue from carbon credits. The combination of tipping fees from waste processing and carbon credit sales creates a strong business case for waste-to-biochar projects. The report suggests non-biomass feedstocks may eventually overtake woody biomass in production capacity.
