Biochar LATAM Launches to Accelerate High-Integrity Biochar and Carbon Removal Across Latin America

New regional association brings together leading biochar producers to strengthen standards, science, market access and collaboration across one of the world’s most promising regions for durable carbon removal. 

LATIN AMERICA — September 2026 — Leading biochar producers in Latin America have announced the formation of Biochar LATAM, a new non-profit regional association created to accelerate the responsible development of the biochar industry and strengthen Latin America’s position in the global carbon removal market. 

Founded by Exomad Green, Aperam BioEnergia and Inspiratus Technlogies, Biochar LATAM brings together companies and technical stakeholders around a common objective: scaling biochar across the region while maintaining high standards of environmental integrity, traceability, scientific rigor and operational quality. 

Latin America has some of the strongest fundamentals for biochar deployment anywhere in the world. The region generates more than one billion tonnes of agricultural and forestry residues annually and has more than 200 million hectares of degraded soils. Combined with its agricultural base, industrial capabilities and growing participation in international carbon markets, these conditions create an opportunity for Latin America to become a global hub for biochar production and durable carbon removal. 

At the same time, the founders believe scale must be accompanied by integrity. 

Biochar LATAM has therefore been established as a formal non-profit association operating under principles of environmental sustainability, scientific and technical rigor, institutional transparency, traceability, legality and regional cooperation. 

“Latin America does not need to prove that it has the resources to become a leader in biochar. We are already demonstrating that we can produce and deliver carbon removal at industrial scale. What comes next is building the regional infrastructure, standards and collaboration that allow many more high-quality projects to succeed,” said Diego Justiniano, CEO of Exomad Green. “Biochar LATAM is about moving from individual success stories to a strong regional industry — one that can scale while protecting the credibility and integrity of the market.” 

Biochar currently represents the majority of delivered durable carbon removal credits globally, demonstrating a level of commercial and operational maturity that differentiates it from many emerging carbon removal pathways. Biochar can also create benefits extending beyond carbon removal, including improved soil properties, reduced dependency on synthetic fertilizers, productive use of agricultural and forestry residues, and new sources of economic activity in rural communities. 

Six Pillars for Building the Regional Biochar Industry 

Biochar LATAM will organize its work around six strategic pillars: 

• Standards and Quality. Promoting internationally recognized certifications, sustainable and traceable biomass, technical best practices, accredited laboratories and continuous improvement across biochar projects. 

• Carbon Markets and Market Development. Strengthening the visibility of Latin American supply, improving transparency, facilitating market access and positioning the region as a reliable source of scalable, high-quality carbon removal. 

• Public Policy. Working with national and local governments to develop enabling regulatory frameworks, incorporate biochar into agricultural and climate policies, and facilitate the responsible development of new projects. 

• Science and Innovation. Connecting producers with universities, researchers and technical institutions to advance soil research, impact measurement, methodologies, production technologies and the utilization of biochar co-products. 

• Regional Development. Promoting regenerative agriculture, sustainable residue management, rural and Indigenous community participation and green employment. 

• Carbon Economy. Expanding the opportunity beyond carbon credits by supporting a broader circular bioeconomy around biochar, renewable energy, bio-oil, syngas, heat, fertilizers, substrates and productive uses of agricultural residues. 
  

“Latin America combines biomass availability, industrial capabilities and an extraordinary agricultural sector. That gives us the possibility to develop biochar not simply as a carbon-removal technology, but as part of a much broader circular economy,” said Rodrigo Villela, President of Aperam South America and Aperam BioEnergia. “Working together through Biochar LATAM allows the industry to exchange operational knowledge, develop stronger technical foundations and demonstrate that sustainability and industrial scale can advance together.” 

A central objective of the association will be creating greater coordination between countries that individually may have relatively small biochar ecosystems but collectively represent significant production capacity, scientific expertise and future growth potential. 

The organization plans to facilitate exchanges of operational experience and technical results, support the development of regional laboratory and service capacity, connect producers with technology providers and research institutions, and provide a coordinated industry voice in international forums including COP and global Climate Weeks. 

Building Scale Without Compromising Quality 

Membership in Biochar LATAM will be tied to clear expectations around responsible industry development. Industrial members are expected to demonstrate verifiable biochar activity, legal compliance, traceable biomass sourcing and commitment to recognized standards and good operating practices. 

The association will also welcome technical and academic members, including universities, scientists, consultants and organizations contributing to the technical and regulatory development of the sector. 

“Biochar has now entered a new phase. The challenge is no longer simply demonstrating that the technology works; it is determining how we replicate high-quality projects at very large scale,” said Sebastian Saaverys, Founder and CEO of Inspiratus Technologies. “Latin America has exceptional potential to do this. Cooperation between experienced operators can accelerate learning, strengthen standards and help make the region one of the most competitive and credible places in the world to deploy biochar.” 

Latin American producers are already participating in major international carbon certification systems including Puro.earth, Verra and Isometric. Biochar LATAM intends to strengthen those connections while helping new producers understand and meet the technical, environmental and traceability requirements expected by international markets. 

From Regional Potential to Global Leadership 

Over the coming years, Biochar LATAM will work to increase sustainable regional production, consolidate common standards, improve access to international markets, support integration of biochar into national decarbonization strategies and develop deeper cooperation between producers, governments, financial institutions, universities, certification platforms and international organizations. 

The association ultimately aims to establish Latin America as a global reference point for biochar-based carbon removal — combining scale with strong environmental and social safeguards. 

Rather than competing only as individual projects or countries, Biochar LATAM's founders believe the region can build a recognizable ecosystem around high-quality biochar: sharing knowledge where cooperation benefits the entire industry while allowing individual companies to continue innovating and competing.  “Scaling carbon removal from Latin America to the world” reflects that ambition: transforming the region's biomass resources, industrial capabilities, scientific expertise and agricultural strength into one of the world's most important platforms for durable carbon removal. 

About Biochar LATAM 

Biochar LATAM is a non-profit regional association created to articulate and strengthen the biochar sector across Latin America. The organization promotes environmental sustainability, scientific and technical rigor, transparency, traceability, legal compliance and regional cooperation. 

Its work focuses on six areas: standards and quality, carbon markets, public policy, science and innovation, regional development and the broader carbon economy. 

Biochar LATAM seeks to collaborate with producers, governments, universities, certification platforms, financial institutions, international organizations and other stakeholders committed to scaling a high-integrity biochar industry across the region. 

For more information, visit biochar-latam.earth or contact contact@biochar-latam.earth.