Sources: Verde Resources Inc., St. Louis; CP staff
Low-carbon construction materials developer Verde Resources cites the sale of the world’s first-ever Biochar Carbon Removal Credits from asphalt applications following a successful proof-of-concept project at the National Center for Asphalt Technology Test Track (NCAT) in Alabama. In collaboration with Oregon Biochar Solutions and NCAT, Verde produced and placed 110 tons of asphalt with 5 tons of biochar. The latter is processed by heating wood or other vegetation matter to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, yielding an ash- or charcoal-like material with proven carbon dioxide-sequestering properties.
The December 2024 NCAT project demonstrated a breakthrough in sustainable infrastructure, combining cold mix asphalt with biochar to deliver both greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration. The resulting 8 tons of Carbon Removal Credits issued by Puro.earth, Helsinki-based crediting platform, were pre-purchased by one of the world’s largest financial institutions focused on Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDR).
“Our showcase demonstrates that common-sense economics and Net Zero infrastructure solutions can go hand in hand,” says Verde Resources CEO Jack Wong. “Bio-Asphalt isn’t just cheaper, more durable and efficient—it’s scalable, sustainable, and delivers real benefits. Our industry partners can reduce costs while also tapping into the value of carbon credits that go straight to their bottom line. Going green has too often been perceived as a luxury, but our solution is a win for asphalt producers, frontline workers, taxpayers, and the environment.”
With multiple high-impact contracts under negotiation in the construction sector, he adds, Verde Resources is positioned for rapid scale. The company is respectively targeting removal of 5,000 tons and 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2026 and 2030, thereby “accelerating decarbonization in one of the world’s most emission-intensive industries, while delivering sustainable road pavement solutions at the lowest possible life cycle cost.”
The Oregon Biochar Solutions product specified for the NCAT demonstration was subject to validation essential to the CDR transaction. “The use of biochar in certain asphalt products is deemed an eligible biochar end-use that preserves its carbon storage value under Puro Standard Biochar Methodology,” affirms Puro.earth Head of Supply Alvin Lee.
“Verde Resources has delivered an innovative and reliable solution for modern infrastructure that not only reduces GHG emissions but also actively contribute to carbon sequestration,” concludes Perrine Legoubé, Carbon Director at GECA, which oversees Verde’s CDR certifications.
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