Inauguration held of Carbonity – Canada’s first industrial-scale biochar plant

Born from a partnership between the three companies, the plant in Port-Cartier has an annual production capacity of 10,000 tonnes of biochar, which is expected to triple by 2026, making it the largest facility of its kind in North America—and one of the most significant globally.

The inauguration of Carbonity marks a pivotal step toward a new, more sustainable forestry model rooted in today’s economic and environmental realities and serving the ecological and industrial transition of tomorrow. Taking part in this Canadian first is a tremendous source of pride, said Patrick Girard, General Manager, Carbonity.

Once fully ramped up, it will create 75 direct and indirect jobs in the region and produce carbon-rich biochar from approximately 58,000 tonnes of forestry residues annually, sourced from Groupe Rémabec’s operations.

Today, we continue an extraordinary journey that is shaping the future of forestry and asserting Quebec’s leadership in bioproduct development. Alongside Airex Energy and SUEZ, we are building a new economy, future-focused and environmentally committed. At Port-Cartier, we’re betting on innovation and boldness to convert our forest residues into sustainable economic value. This project breathes new life into a long-neglected industrial site, giving it a promising future. Thanks to strong partnerships, cutting-edge technology, and a clear vision, we are positioning ourselves as a global player while diversifying our products and markets for a better future, said Réjean Paré, President and Chief Operating Officer, Groupe Rémabec.

A decarbonization tool for multiple industries

Produced through biomass pyrolysis —a carbonizing process at high temperatures without oxygen, biochar is recognized by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as one of the most effective technologies to combat climate change due to its long-term carbon sequestration capacity.

In addition, its many benefits enhance agricultural resilience, drive sustainable innovation in construction and urban development, and support the decarbonization of heavy industries.

When used as a soil amendment, biochar enhances nutrient and water retention, aeration, drainage, and microbial activity.

Cities are increasingly using biochar to process organic waste and combat flooding. Its absorbent qualities make it ideal for creating “sponge parks.” It also supports the remediation of contaminated soils.

It regenerates soil, increases fertilizer efficiency, improves crop yields, and aids water drainage—key advantages for the agriculture sector.

It can also be added to livestock feed to promote animal health and reduce methane emissions.

When integrated into concrete, cement, or asphalt, biochar enhances material performance while significantly lowering their carbon footprint, addressing a major challenge in sustainable construction and urban development.

I’m thrilled to see the Carbonity project come to life. The new automated plant will generate significant economic and social benefits in Côte-Nord, including the creation of highly specialized jobs. It also strengthens the region’s forestry sector, which plays a key role in our economy, said Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Minister of Employment, Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord region, and Member for Duplessis.

An innovative facility

The Carbonity plant is powered by proprietary technologies developed by Airex Energy. Its proprietary and patented “DryFX” and “CarbonFX” technologies are at the heart of the plant’s innovative process.

The biochar production also yields surplus energy in the form of steam or pyrolytic oil, which can be used as fuel.

The inauguration of Carbonity is a true industrial milestone for Québec. Airex Energy’s technology, including our patented CarbonFX and DryFX solutions, is central to this success, and it makes us very proud. Our primary mission is to contribute to the decarbonization of our economy. This investment represents Airex Energy’s first step toward scaling global biochar production, a product that will help many businesses here and abroad achieve net zero, said Michel Gagnon, CEO of Airex Energy and Chair of Carbonity’s Board.

SUEZ brings key expertise in organic waste recovery, the production of amendments and biofertilizers, and the development of circular solutions to help clients reduce their carbon footprint.

This project marks the first step in Airex Energy and SUEZ’s ambitious roadmap to build a global annual production capacity of 350,000 tonnes of biochar by 2035 to meet the decarbonization challenges of industrial operations.

We are delighted to contribute to this pioneering biochar production project in Canada. Identified by the IPCC as a negative-emissions solution, biochar is effective in fighting climate change and aligns with SUEZ’s waste recovery activities. We believe biochar will play a key role in the ecological transition of industry. That’s why we aim, alongside Airex Energy, to produce 350,000 tonnes of biochar annually by 2035, providing our customers committed to carbon neutrality with innovative solutions to reduce their residual emissions, said Yves Rannou, Interim Co-CEO, SUEZ, and Head of Recycling & Recovery.

Public and carbon market funding

This project in Port-Cartier was made possible thanks to the vision and financial support of the governments of Québec and Canada.

The federal government is proud to have contributed to this flagship project supporting the establishment of a new subsidiary in Canada. Biochar is a key solution for carbon sequestration, with additional benefits for agriculture, the development of resilient cities, and the support of a diversified forestry industry, said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister of Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions.

Carbonity is helping accelerate decarbonization in key sectors across Québec. Our government is proud to have invested more than CA$16 million in this project, which leverages innovative technology and contributes to building a prosperous, sustainable economy, said Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development.

At full capacity, the plant in Port-Cartier will sequester 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂eq) per annum. This output will generate certified and guaranteed carbon credits, marketed on the voluntary carbon market (VCM) by First Climate.

The official launch of Carbonity is an important step in international climate protection through technical carbon removal solutions, demonstrating that biochar technology can scale. We are thrilled by the strong interest our clients have shown in Carbonity, supporting the continued development of carbon removal technology, said Olaf Bachert, CEO of First Climate.

In 2024, Microsoft selected Carbonity to purchase 36,000 carbon credits over the first three years of operations.

With Carbonity, Port-Cartier becomes a leader in sustainable innovation. By transforming our forest residues into biochar, we are smartly harnessing local resources while creating lasting jobs. This is a flagship project that proves environmental protection and economic development can go hand in hand. It’s a great source of pride to see our community become a model of responsible development, said Alain Thibault, Mayor of Port-Cartier.