Jain Irrigation Seals Major Biochar Credit Deal, Boosts India's Carbon Removal Efforts

Jain Irrigation Systems Limited (JISL), a major Indian agribusiness, has struck a significant deal with carbon removal marketplace Supercritical for up to 19,000 tonnes of biochar carbon removal credits. This agreement, covering 2026 and 2027, highlights India's growing role in the global effort to combat climate change by turning agricultural waste into valuable carbon-locking material. The credits will come from Jain's industrial biochar facility in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, which began operations in early 2026. This move comes as the voluntary carbon market is seeing increased demand for high-quality, verifiable carbon removal solutions, with buyers increasingly locking in multi-year contracts earlier than before. Jain Irrigation's Jalgaon plant is among the world's largest single-unit biochar reactors, processing around 20,000 tonnes of agricultural and fruit processing waste annually through advanced processes like gasification or pyrolysis. This not only creates biochar for soil improvement but also generates syngas to replace fossil fuels in their own operations, making it a circular economy model. The deal is a strong signal for India's burgeoning biochar market, projected to be the fastest-growing globally with potential for a $45 billion annual market by 2030. The project is undergoing rigorous verification through Puro.earth, with an independent BeZero Carbon rating also underway, emphasizing the push for integrity in a market where quality is paramount. Watch for more such partnerships as Indian companies leverage their vast agricultural residue resources to drive both economic growth and environmental stewardship.