GroundUp is a biochar carbon removal project converting sugarcane crop residues into high-quality biochar at an industrial facility co-located with sugar mills in Maharashtra, India. Feedstock — sugarcane leaves and tops — was previously burned in open fields by approximately 85% of growers, contributing to significant local air pollution. Using Pyreg P500 and Beston BST-50 pyrolysis units operating at 500–700°C, GroundUp produces biochar with H/Corg ratios of 0.29–0.33, confirmed for long-term carbon stability. On-site acid washing prevents fuel use of the biochar and ensures carbon is permanently locked into soil. The project is registered on Isometric. This is the first Indian company to do so, the project has issued its first Isometric-verified credits in April 2026. GroundUp is targeting 200,000 tCO₂e of annual removal capacity across India's key sugarcane regions by 2030, backed by $15M in total secured funding including a strategic partnership with Essar Group.

Description of Technology:

Industrial biochar (200 to 1,000+ year carbon removal permanence), verified by Isometric, produced via high-temperature pyrolysis at 500–700°C with H/Corg ≈ 0.29–0.33

Sector:

Aluminum,Aviation,Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR),Cement/Concrete,Shipping,Steel,Trucking

Type of Supplier:

Cross Sector Enabler

Supplier Geography:

Globally

Expected Capacity (Mt/Year):

17,500 17,500 Mt at Project Nandani; up to 100,000 Mt across additional sites subject to offtake agreements