Microsoft Signs 10-Year Deal for One Million Biochar Carbon Removal Units
Microsoft has signed a ten-year agreement to purchase one million carbon removal units from biochar producer Liferaft, funding large-scale pyrolysis facilities in Iowa and Illinois. The initiative will sequester the equivalent of one million metric tons of CO2, improve soil health and deliver economic benefits to rural communities.
1. Agreement Overview
Microsoft has entered a 10-year offtake contract with Liferaft to acquire one million carbon removal units. Each unit represents one metric ton of CO2 removed through biochar, locking it into stable carbon structures for decades.
2. Facility Deployment
Liferaft will build and operate large-scale pyrolysis plants in Iowa and Illinois, converting agricultural and municipal biomass into biochar. The process not only captures carbon but also produces a soil amendment that enhances nutrient retention and crop yields.
3. Strategic and Economic Impact
The project aligns with Microsoft’s target to be carbon negative by 2030 and supports rural economies through facility construction and ongoing operations. The influx of investment is expected to create jobs, boost local supply chains and deliver measurable environmental benefits over the decade.