CHAR Technologies
CHAR Technologies is a Canadian cleantech company that uses proprietary High-Temperature Pyrolysis to convert wood waste and organic residuals into biocarbon for steelmaking and renewable natural gas, serving industrial customers such as ArcelorMittal and Elkem ASA.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNorth York, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CHAR Technologies does
CHAR Technologies Ltd. (TSXV:YES) is a Canadian cleantech development and environmental services company that has commercialized a proprietary High-Temperature Pyrolysis (HTP) platform operating at over 800°C in an oxygen-free environment. The platform converts unmerchantable wood, forestry residuals, and organic waste into two saleable outputs: solid biocarbon products (biochar, biocoal, activated biochar) intended as carbon-neutral drop-in replacements for metallurgical coal in steelmaking and ferrosilicon production, and renewable natural gas (with optionality for green hydrogen) suitable for pipeline injection. The same HTP platform has been demonstrated to destroy PFAS compounds in wastewater biosolids at above 600°C, producing Class A biochar outputs. The company was founded in 2013, is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, and operates or is developing production and project sites in Thorold (flagship commercial facility), Saguenay (acquired from Elkem ASA), Kirkland Lake, Saint-Félicien, La Sarre, Drayton Valley, and Thunder Bay.
CHAR's revenue model is multi-pronged and tied to long-dated offtake agreements with anchor industrial customers, supplemented by non-dilutive government funding and technology licensing. Primary contracted revenue streams are biocarbon sales to steel and metallurgical customers (ArcelorMittal Dofasco: C$6.6M strategic investment plus a 5,000-tonne MoU and a four-year 35,000-tonne GHG reduction target; Elkem ASA: a five-year, 62,500-tonne offtake at 12,500 tonnes/year from the Saguenay facility), RNG pipeline sales to Canadian utilities, project development services for jointly-owned project entities, and one-time license fees plus production royalties from technology licensing (GazoTech SAS for France and select European markets). Non-dilutive funding has included a C$5.2M Natural Resources Canada Clean Fuels Fund grant and a C$2.25M Ontario Forest Biomass Program grant, with C$200K from Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships. The go-to-market motion is sales-led and targets heavy industrial decarbonization customers, with strategic partners BMI Group (50/50 JV at the Thorold facility and insider ownership exceeding 10%) and Lake Nipigon Forest Management Inc. (51/49 JV) supplying feedstock and co-development capacity. The company is in the commissioning stage of Thorold Phase 1 (5,000 tonnes/year biocarbon) and is integrating the recently acquired Elkem Saguenay facility toward 15,000 tonnes/year capacity, with no public revenue figure disclosed.
CHAR Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CHAR Technologies
- Legal name
- CHAR Technologies Ltd.
- Website
- https://chartechnologies.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CHAR Technologies is a Canadian cleantech company that uses proprietary High-Temperature Pyrolysis to convert wood waste and organic residuals into biocarbon for steelmaking and renewable natural gas, serving industrial customers such as ArcelorMittal and Elkem ASA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CHAR Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cleantech Biocarbon and Renewable Energy Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Biomass Electric Power Generation (221117)
- SIC
- Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Waste Pyrolysis (Plastics/tires/biomass-to-oil/char) (EUAAAKAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Gasification & Pyrolysis-to-Power (Waste/Biomass Advanced Thermal) (EUACAIAL)
Keywords
Where CHAR Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North York
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
CHAR Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Biocarbon Sales: CHAR Tech generates revenue from selling biocarbon (biochar, biocoal, activated biochar) produced through its HTP process. Biocarbon serves as a carbon-neutral drop-in replacement for metallurgical coal in steelmaking and other heavy industrial applications. Long-term offtake agreements provide revenue visibility.
- Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) / Green Hydrogen Sales: The HTP process converts organic waste into syngas, which can be upgraded to pipeline-injectable RNG or further processed into green hydrogen for sale to utilities and industrial customers.
- Technology Licensing: CHAR Tech licenses its proprietary HTP technology know-how to partners like GazoTech SAS for European markets. Revenue includes one-time license fees upon equipment delivery plus ongoing royalties linked to biocarbon production, enabling revenue generation without deploying project-level capital.
- Government Grants and Incentives: Non-dilutive funding from government programs including the Clean Fuels Fund ($5.2M), Forest Biomass Program ($2.25M), and Indigenous Bioeconomy Partnerships ($200K) to support facility development and expansion.
- Project Development Services: CHAR Tech earns fees through development and operational services provided to jointly-owned project entities, including feedstock management, sales, and marketing of RNG and biocarbon outputs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Private Placement Units |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
CHAR Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CHAR Technologies develops and deploys High-Temperature Pyrolysis (HTP) technology that converts woody biomass and organic waste into biocarbon (a coal substitute) and renewable natural gas (RNG/green hydrogen). The company operates dedicated biocarbon and RNG production facilities, sells biocarbon products to industrial off-takers such as steel manufacturers, and licenses its HTP platform to third parties including GazoTech in France.
Product overview
CHAR Technologies operates a unified technology platform built around its proprietary High-Temperature Pyrolysis (HTP) technology. The HTP platform processes unmerchantable wood and organic waste into two primary revenue streams: renewable natural gas (or green hydrogen) and solid biocarbon products (biochar, biocoal, activated biochar). The company is advancing multiple commercial facilities including the Thorold Renewable Energy Facility in Ontario and the Lake Nipigon Forest Renewable Energy Facility, with recent expansion through the acquisition of Elkem ASA's biocarbon assets in Saguenay, Québec. A newer vertical focuses on PFAS destruction in wastewater biosolids using the same high-temperature pyrolysis process.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 35,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reduction over four years through biocarbon use at ArcelorMittal Dofasco steelmaking facility
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CHAR Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CHAR Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CHAR Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- Elkem ASAcoreCHAR Tech acquired Elkem's biocarbon pellet production facility in Saguenay, Québec for US$1,000,000. Acquisition includes IP, production facility, and five-year offtake agreement for 62,500 tonnes biocarbon (12,500 tonnes/year). Facility to be upgraded to 15,000 tonnes/year capacity for ferrosilicon production.
- GazoTech SASstrategicTechnology know-how licensing agreement granting GazoTech rights to deploy CHAR Tech's HTP technology in France and selected European markets. CHAR Tech receives one-time license fees upon equipment delivery plus ongoing royalties linked to biocarbon production. GazoTech developing multiple projects including Bio-Méthane Provence and industrial integration opportunities.
- Canadian Iron & Steel Energy Research Association (CISERA)minorIndustry association membership for 2025-2026. CHAR Tech contributes to research on decarbonized steelmaking and supports the iron and steel industry's transition to net zero emissions.
- BMI Group (Bioveld Canada)coreStrategic partnership with BMI Group includes C$2 million private placement (10 million shares at CDN$0.20), joint development of Thorold Renewable Energy Facility (50% ownership), and C$3,500,000 term loan at 12.5% interest for Elkem acquisition financing. Paul Veldman (CEO) serves as guest speaker at CHAR Tech AGMs.
- Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA)minorTrade association membership providing collaboration opportunities with forestry industry leaders and identification of renewable energy needs for Ontario's forest sector.
- Lake Nipigon Forest Management Inc. (LNFMI)coreJoint venture partnership (51% LNFMI / 49% CHAR) for Lake Nipigon Forest Sustainable Energy Solutions facility. LNFMI oversees wood fiber harvest and feedstock supply; CHAR Tech manages sales and marketing. Project to produce 500,000 GJ RNG and 10,000 tonnes biocarbon annually from 75,000 tonnes wood waste. Four First Nation community shareholders.
- TWD Technologies Ltd.minorEngineering and construction management partnership for Thorold facility expansion. TWD provides project development, engineering, and sustainable energy solutions expertise for the HTP facility build.
- Synagro TechnologiesstrategicPartnership to demonstrate HTP technology for PFAS elimination in biosolids. Synagro completed civil work and accepted delivery of CHAR Tech's HTP process equipment for first U.S. deployment. Project targets commercial validation of permanent PFAS destruction from wastewater biosolids.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights7 records
CHAR Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Bloom Energy: Bloom Energy is an established provider of solid-oxide fuel cell technology producing electricity and hydrogen from natural gas and renewable feedstocks. Comparable as a broader incumbent in renewable hydrogen and gas-to-energy conversion targeting industrial decarbonization.
- Aemetis: Aemetis is a larger, established renewable fuels and biochemicals producer operating across multiple feedstocks (biomass, biogas) with commercial-scale assets. Comparable in producing drop-in renewable replacements for fossil fuels and industrial chemicals serving similar decarbonization end markets.
- Topsoe: Topsoe provides technology, catalysts, and engineering for biomass-to-chemicals, e-fuels, and renewable hydrogen production. Comparable as a broader incumbent offering production technology solutions for renewable fuel and chemical manufacturers including those using biomass feedstocks.
Emerging players
- Infinium: Infinium (formerly Greyrock Energy) produces e-fuels including e-diesel and e-gasoline from renewable feedstocks. Comparable as an emerging player in synthetic renewable fuels targeting industrial and transportation decarbonization customers.
- Newlight Technologies: Newlight produces AirCarbon, a biocarbon material made from methane emissions using microbial processes. Comparable as an emerging player in biocarbon/carbon-negative material production serving industrial applications and decarbonization end-markets.
Direct peers
- Velocys: Velocys develops biomass-to-jet and synthetic fuel production using Fischer-Tropsch technology. Comparable as a biomass-to-renewable-fuels platform targeting industrial decarbonization customers and serving the energy transition market.
- PyroGenesis Canada: PyroGenesis is a Canadian plasma/waste-to-energy technology company developing systems for waste destruction, biocarbon production, and renewable energy. Closely comparable as a Canadian-headquartered peer using high-temperature thermal processes to convert waste into energy and solid carbon products.
- SunFire: SunFire produces e-fuels and synthetic hydrocarbons via biomass gasification and CO2 utilization. Comparable in producing renewable gas/liquid fuels from organic feedstocks and industrial waste streams using thermal conversion technologies.
- Ensyn: Ensyn operates proprietary biomass pyrolysis technology producing biochar (Renuvia) and renewable fuel oils from forestry residues. Closely comparable to CHAR's High-Temperature Pyrolysis platform producing biocarbon and renewable gases from woody biomass.
- LanzaTech: LanzaTech uses gasification and carbon capture to convert waste gases and biomass into fuels and chemicals (including ethanol and synthetic feedstocks). Highly comparable to CHAR's HTP approach of converting waste feedstocks into renewable energy and chemical products for industrial customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CHAR Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceCHAR Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CHAR Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
CHAR Technologies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
CHAR Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CHAR Technologies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CHAR Technologies
What does CHAR Technologies do?
CHAR Technologies develops and deploys High-Temperature Pyrolysis (HTP) technology that converts woody biomass and organic waste into biocarbon (a coal substitute) and renewable natural gas (RNG/green hydrogen). The company operates dedicated biocarbon and RNG production facilities, sells biocarbon products to industrial off-takers such as steel manufacturers, and licenses its HTP platform to third parties including GazoTech in France.
Is CHAR Technologies a public or private company?
CHAR Technologies is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was CHAR Technologies founded?
CHAR Technologies was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CHAR Technologies based?
CHAR Technologies is headquartered in North York, Canada, in the North America region.
How does CHAR Technologies make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Biocarbon Sales are the primary driver. The others are renewable Natural Gas (RNG) / Green Hydrogen Sales, technology Licensing, government Grants and Incentives and project Development Services.
Who are CHAR Technologies's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Bloom Energy, Aemetis and Topsoe. Emerging players are Infinium and Newlight Technologies. Direct peers are Velocys, PyroGenesis Canada, SunFire, Ensyn and LanzaTech.
Does CHAR Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for CHAR Technologies.
What industry is CHAR Technologies in?
CHAR Technologies's product category is Cleantech Biocarbon and Renewable Energy Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAAAKAF, Waste Pyrolysis (Plastics/tires/biomass-to-oil/char), with a secondary code of EUACAIAL, Gasification & Pyrolysis-to-Power (Waste/Biomass Advanced Thermal). Its NAICS code is 221117 and its SIC code is 4991.