Launch of CARBONITY: Official Opening of Pioneering Biochar Project

Opening ceremony in Port-Cartier / Full production to begin gradually

The official opening ceremony, which recently took place at the CARBONITY facilities in Port-Cartier, Québec, marks the successful completion of the test phase of the production plant. Thus, paving the way for one of the world’s largest biochar projects—and one of today’s most significant technological climate initiatives—to enter full-scale production.

In the months ahead, the facility will gradually ramp up industrial biochar output. By the end of this year, around 10,000 tons will have been produced; starting in 2026, the CARBONITY joint venture between Airex Energy, Groupe Rémabec, and SUEZ aims to produce up to 30,000 tons of high-quality biochar annually, representing a climate impact of 75,000 tons of CO₂ permanently removed from the atmosphere. First Climate currently exclusively markets carbon removal credits from the project.

“We’re thrilled about the official launch because it clearly shows that the CARBONITY project is on track as planned, and the pyrolysis technology supplied by Airex Energy is working reliably in daily practice,” says Nino Berta, who manages the partnership with CARBONITY on behalf of First Climate. “Just as exciting is the strong interest we’re seeing from our clients, who are eager to support this groundbreaking climate initiative.”

Demand for CARBONITY Carbon Removal Credits 

First Climate continues to see strong demand for carbon removal credits from the CARBONITY project, with the order books already well filled. Through several forward purchase agreements with high-profile clients, including Microsoft, delivery commitments for tens of thousands of carbon credits have already been secured.

What sets CARBONITY apart is the project’s impressive scale. With an annual production target of around 30,000 tons of biochar starting in 2026, CARBONITY is setting new benchmarks for climate action with “technical removal solutions”, that is, the long-term, technology-based removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere. Thanks to its ambitious production capacity, CARBONITY is the largest project of its kind in North America and stands among the most important biochar initiatives worldwide.  

With an annual production target of around 30,000 tons of biochar starting in 2026, CARBONITY is setting new benchmarks for climate action with “technical removal solutions”, that is, the long-term, technology-based removal and storage of carbon from the atmosphere.

CARBONITY’s location also plays a crucial role in the project, offering a number of unique advantages. Over the past several months, one of the world’s most advanced and efficient pyrolysis plants has been built on the site of a former pulp and paper mill owned by project partner Rémabec. The facility is fueled exclusively with wood residues from Rémabec’s local sawmill operations, which would otherwise lead to the release of carbon emissions through natural decomposition. The wood comes from sustainably managed local forests, certified by the SFI standard. This approach ensures the sustainability of CARBONITY’s biochar production.  

The CARBONITY Project is the first building block in an ambitious global biochar production roadmap developed by Airex Energy and SUEX, who have mutually targeted a worldwide capacity of 350,000 tons of biochar production yearly and thereby generate a significant contribution to climate change mitigation.

Preparations for Full-Scale Operations and Project Audit 

“From a technical standpoint, CARBONITY has already proven itself during the commissioning phase over the past few months. The official launch marks the transition to full-scale production and continuous operations,” explains Nino Berta. For First Climate, the opening also signals the beginning of the project’s auditing process, which is being conducted by Puro.earth. The successful completion of the auditing phase will be the final step to reach before the CARBONITY project’s issuance of verified carbon removal credits.

As Carbon Asset Manager, First Climate is responsible for managing the entire project cycle related to the generation of carbon removal credits: from registration with the relevant carbon standard and project monitoring, to the preparation and coordination of all required validation and verification processes, including the audit now underway. To support this, First Climate has compiled extensive documentation in recent weeks, covering the technical components of the facility, up-to-date production data, and verified climate impact achieved by CARBONITY. Additionally, auditors will also conduct a supplemental on-site visit in Port-Cartier to assess the facility’s operations firsthand.

First Climate will continue to share updates on the launch event and further developments related to the CARBONITY project.

Would you like to learn more about this project or the potential of technical removal solutions like biochar for corporate climate action? Then get in touch with us today. Our team of experts is happy to advise you!

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Background: Biochar and Climate Action

Biochar is a carbon-rich, charcoal-like material that is produced from residual biomass by pyrolysis, a thermochemical process that is energy self-sufficient in the absence of oxygen. This process stabilizes a large part of the carbon content of the biomass already present in the used for production over a period of centuries to millennia: The carbon sink potential is around 2.5 tons of CO2 equivalent per ton of biochar produced. 

There are many possible applications for biochar - for example, it can be used to improve the soil structure of agricultural land, increase water and nutrient storage and reduce soil erosion. Thanks to its porous structure, it also provides a habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms, resulting in healthier and more productive soils.

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CARBONITY is a joint venture of:

Airex Energy

Airex Energy is a world leader in the development of climate solutions, providing its expertise and technology to customers wishing to reduce their carbon footprint. Through its innovative CarbonFX™ torrefaction technology, Airex transforms all types of biomass into high-value carbonized products, such as biochar.

Groupe Rémabec

Founded in 1988, Groupe Rémabec is proud to be the largest private forestry contractor in Quebec and one of the province's leading lumber millers, providing quality direct employment to nearly 2,000 people. Solidly established in several regions of Quebec, Groupe Rémabec is one of the few forestry companies of its size to have its head office in the heart of a forestry community, in La Tuque.

SUEZ

SUEZ has been providing essential services for 160 years, to protect and improve the quality of life in the face of growing environmental challenges. The Group enables its customers to provide access to water and waste services through innovative and resilient solutions. Present in 40 countries with more than 44,000 employees, the Group also enables its customers to create value over the entire life cycle of their infrastructures and services, and to drive their ecological transition by involving their users.