Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by heating organic biomass under low oxygen conditions, is gaining momentum as a multi-functional solution in agriculture, infrastructure, and carbon markets. The 2025 North American Biochar Conference, organized by the U.S. Biochar Initiative (USBI), will be held from 15 to 18 September in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
According to Myles Gray, Executive Director of USBI, biochar's rising prominence is driven by its potential to address multiple environmental challenges, from nutrient retention in vertical farms to carbon sequestration in concrete and stormwater systems. "Interest in biochar has never been greater, and there is a growing sense that biochar can be an industry that manages biomass waste, creates high-quality American-made products, local manufacturing jobs, and on top of it all, sequesters carbon," said Gray. "At the same time, USBI has been working tirelessly to grow awareness of biochar, and we can already see that effort starting to pay off."
From substrate to stormwater
One of the key themes of the conference is the expanding role of biochar beyond traditional agricultural applications. This year, USBI will showcase biochar's potential as a substrate additive in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). "The biochar sector is really undergoing rapid change," Gray said. "Some of the high-level themes and trends this year will be the growing use of biochar in high-value agricultural products like horticultural substrate and enhanced efficiency fertilizers. We're also seeing biochar emerge in infrastructure products like concrete and stormwater filtration media."
For vertical farms, biochar's porous structure and nutrient retention capabilities could be particularly valuable. As Gray noted, ongoing trials and pilot programs are exploring how biochar-amended substrates can reduce nutrient leaching, stabilize root zones, and lower water usage in hydroponic systems.
A city-level case study in biochar implementation
Minneapolis is a showcase city for biochar's municipal-scale potential, with the ongoing development of North America's first city-run biochar facility. Gray highlighted how the facility aligns with the broader theme of domestic innovation, reinforcing USBI's mission to position biochar as a component of municipal waste management and climate strategies. "The work that the City of Minneapolis has done to set up the first municipal biochar production facility is really inspiring," Gray said. "It sends a signal that biochar can be a real component of biomass management and carbon management in cities."
During the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Minneapolis biochar facility, still under construction. "The field tours this year will be really great," said Gray. "We're still working on the details, but the premier tour will be to the City of Minneapolis facility, which will give participants the chance to see what a municipal-scale biochar facility looks like. We're also planning visits to nearby farms and research facilities where biochar is actively used."
A turning point for the industry
Gray views the 2025 conference as a pivotal moment in biochar's evolution, particularly as the industry moves from small-scale projects to more commercially viable applications. "Our theme, 'Building Sustainable Markets and Driving Innovation,' highlights the role biochar plays in carbon sequestration, soil health, waste management, and sustainable industry solutions," he said. "We expect this event to be another chapter in the evolution and growth of the sector, and we expect this to mark a turning point where biochar starts to be a significant component of regional manufacturing economies around the USA."
For vertical farmers and CEA operators, the 2025 conference represents a unique opportunity to explore biochar's substrate potential, network with manufacturers and suppliers, and witness how Minneapolis is setting a precedent for urban biochar production.
For more information:
U.S. Biochar Initiative
www.biochar-us.org
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