Ithaka Institute

What Ithaka Institute does

The Ithaka Institute is a non-profit research organization for carbon strategies, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Arbaz, Switzerland, with independent operational entities in Germany (Goldbach), USA (Canandaigua, NY), and Nepal (Ratanpur, Tanahu). The institute develops and applies biochar and pyrogenic carbon science as its core technological foundation, spanning biomass pyrolysis (the Kon-Tiki flame-curtain kiln), carbon sink certification methodology, Pyrogenic Carbon Capture and Storage (PyCCS), PyMiCCS, biochar-based construction materials, NanoC nano-carbon composites, and analytical methods for biochar characterisation. It originated the European Biochar Certificate in 2012 and has subsequently developed six global certification standards covering biochar quality, biochar carbon sinks, artisan/smallholder production, construction materials, tree-based carbon, and enhanced rock weathering, with operational certification handled by the spun-off Carbon Standards International.

The institute's business model combines professional scientific and strategic consulting to corporations, municipalities, and national agencies (covering certification, technical auditing for pyrolysis technology globally, carbon strategies and climate modelling, material design, carbon farming, and climate policy) with applied research funded through grants from Swiss FOEN, Swiss National Fund, BMBF, and GIZ. It operates a globally unique comparative carbon farming field trial in Nepal spanning nine systems on 10 hectares and publishes peer-reviewed research and the Ithaka Journal and Biochar Journal. Commercial products include the CINK Calculator and Methane Offset Calculator (exposed via a public API), NanoC composites for high-performance sports equipment (C-Sink Sports partnership with Oxess), and biochar-based building materials. Consulting pricing is not publicly disclosed and engagements are negotiated on a project basis.

The institute serves a horizontal mix of customer segments including standard-setting bodies and registries, pyrolysis technology producers, corporations with CDR strategies, municipalities and national agencies, smallholder farming communities across the Global South (Nepal, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ghana, Indonesia, Colombia, Timor-Leste, Brazil, Benin), the construction and building materials industry, and sports equipment manufacturers. Kon-Tiki technology has been adopted in more than 100 countries across all inhabited continents, and the Global Artisan C-Sink Standard is described as the largest CDR method for persistent carbon sinks globally.

Name

Ithaka Institute

Legal name

Foundation Ithaka Institute for Carbon Strategies Switzerland

Website

https://ithaka-institute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ithaka Institute is a non-profit research organization developing carbon strategies through biochar science, six global certification standards, and the Kon-Tiki kiln technology, serving corporations, municipalities, farmers, and standards bodies across 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Carbon Removal Certification & Climate Strategy Consulting

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Biochar Carbon Projects (Biomass to Biochar & Soil Application) (EUABABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Methodology Development & Standard-Setting Support (Protocols, Tools, Updates) (EUABACAN), Soil & Biomass Carbon Measurement (Soil Sampling, Forest Inventory, Blue Carbon) (EUABACAH), Bio-based Carbon Products & Advanced Bioproducts (Biochar, activated carbon, carbon black alternatives) (EUAAAIAM), Biochar & Carbon-Based Soil Builders (AFABAKAG)

Keywords

• Biochar production technology
• Carbon removal certification
• Pyrolysis research
• Climate strategy consulting
• Carbon farming systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Arbaz

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Scientific and Strategic Consulting: The institute provides consulting services on carbon strategies spanning carbon farming, pyrolysis technology, carbon materials, and international certification frameworks. Consulting engagements cover certification & standards development, technical auditing for pyrolysis technology globally, carbon strategies & climate modelling, material design, carbon farming & tropical agriculture, and climate policy & urban systems advisory.
2. Standards Development and Certification Infrastructure: The institute develops and curates certification standards (EBC, Global Biochar C-Sink, Artisan, Construction, Tree, Rock C-Sink Standards). Certification operations are managed by Carbon Standards International (spun off from Ithaka). The institute retains responsibility for standard development and scientific curation.
3. Applied Research and Grant Funding: The institute conducts applied research funded by grants from organizations such as the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, Swiss National Fund, BMBF, and others. Research spans from biomass production and transformation to biochar, to biochar application in agriculture, materials, and climate mitigation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Ithaka Institute is a non-profit research organization that conducts applied research, develops certification standards, and provides scientific and strategic consulting on carbon strategies, biochar production technology, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Its principal outputs are the Kon-Tiki flame-curtain kiln for distributed biochar production, six global certification standards (EBC, Global Biochar C-Sink, Artisan, Construction, Tree, Rock C-Sink Standards), the NanoC composite additive for high-performance fibre materials, online quantification calculators, and technical auditing services for pyrolysis producers worldwide.

Product overview

Ithaka Institute operates as a non-profit research organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of carbon strategy products and services. The core technology is the Kon-Tiki flame-curtain kiln for biochar production, supported by the CINK Calculator and Methane Offset Calculator for quantifying carbon sink values. The institute has developed six certification standards (EBC, Biochar C-Sink, Artisan, Construction, Tree, and Rock C-Sink Standards) forming an integrated standards framework for biochar quality and carbon sink certification. Supporting products include NanoC composite for high-performance sports equipment, biochar-based building materials for carbon-negative construction, and research publications through the Ithaka Journal and Biochar Journal. Consulting services encompass technical auditing, carbon strategies, material design, and climate policy advisory. The portfolio integrates standards, measurement tools, physical products (kilns, materials), and knowledge products (journals, consulting) into a cohesive carbon strategy ecosystem.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kon-Tiki: Flame-curtain deep-cone kiln developed by the institute for producing high-quality biochar without external energy, electronics, or industrial infrastructure. Adopted in over 100 countries worldwide.
• European Biochar Certificate (EBC)
• Global Biochar C-Sink Standard
• Global Artisan C-Sink Standard
• Global Tree C-Sink Standard
• Global Rock C-Sink Standard
• Global Construction C-Sink Standard
• Ithaka Journal
• Biochar Journal (tBJ)
• NanoC Composite
• CINK Calculator

Products and services

• Kon-Tiki Flame-Curtain Kiln Open-fire deep-cone kiln that produces high-quality biochar with no external energy, no electronics, and no industrial infrastructure. Adopted in more than 100 countries; it is the most productive biochar production method worldwide and the technical foundation of the Global Artisan C-Sink Standard. Designed for farmers, cooperatives, and small-scale producers globally.
• European Biochar Certificate (EBC) World's first independent certification system for sustainable biochar production (v10.5, July 2025). Covers feedstock sourcing, pyrolysis process requirements, batch definition, laboratory analysis, and six application classes (EBC-FeedPlus, EBC-AgroOrganic, EBC-Agro, EBC-Urban, EBC-Materials, EBC-Basic). Served as scientific basis for EU Fertilizer Products Regulation inclusion. Developed by Ithaka; operated by Carbon Standards International.
• Global Biochar C-Sink Standard World's first certification standard for negative emissions (version 4.0, 2026). Defines methodology for calculating, tracking, and certifying carbon sequestered when biochar is applied to soil or incorporated into durable materials. Uses a probabilistic persistence model dividing biochar carbon into geologically persistent (GPC) and semi-persistent (SPC) pools. Operated by Carbon Standards International; developed and curated by Ithaka Institute.
• Global Artisan C-Sink Standard Certification standard enabling low- and mid-tech biochar producers worldwide — including smallholder farmers and cooperatives — to generate verified carbon removal through five production classes (Cook, Network, Pro, Factory, Tech). Largest CDR method for persistent carbon sinks. Operated by Carbon Standards International.
• Global Construction C-Sink Standard First certification standard for carbon sinks in the built environment. Certifies biomass-derived carbon stored in construction materials including structural timber, straw insulation, hemp, biochar in concrete and asphalt, and compressed cellulose. First certified building carbon sinks in Switzerland (2025).
• Global Tree C-Sink Standard First tree-based carbon certification that certifies annual carbon uptake. Includes agroforestry systems and urban trees alongside afforestation and reforestation. Uses digital MRV with individually geolocated trees registered in the Global C-Sink Registry. Three biodiversity levels with sustainable management requirements.
• Global Rock C-Sink Standard First certification standard for carbon dioxide removal through enhanced rock weathering (v1.0, December 2023). Certifies rock powder application to cropland with documented life-cycle GHG balance proving net-negative status. Differentiates between certified C-sink potential and actual CDR rate pending robust quantification methods.
• NanoC Composite Biochar-derived nano-carbon additive for integration into high-performance fibre composites such as glass-fibre and carbon-fibre matrices. Reduces vibration, increases acceleration out of turns, and improves structural responsiveness. Proven in World Cup-winning alpine snowboards (Maurizio Bormolini, 2024/25 overall title). Patent filed for biochar in prepreg materials. Targeted at premium sports equipment manufacturers (snowboards, skis, windfoiling).
• CINK Calculator Online tool and public API (dev.ithaka-institut.org/api/cink-calc) that quantifies the carbon-sink value of soil-applied biochar over a chosen time horizon. Splits carbon into geologically persistent (GPC) and semi-persistent (SPC) pools to compute CINK_H, and calculates Total Climate Effect (TCE) for climate cooling valuation. Free open-access tool for practitioners, certifiers, and CDR project developers.
• Methane Offset Calculator Calculator that determines the quantity of SPC (semi-persistent carbon pool of soil-applied biochar) required to offset specific methane emissions, or conversely, the amount of methane that can be offset by a given amount of SPC. Uses the Total Climate Effect (TCE) framework for scientifically robust balance between atmospheric decay of methane and biochar carbon sink properties.
• Footprint Calculator Estimates accumulated lifetime CO2 emissions based on country-specific data and individual parameters, quantifying the warming effect and the volume of verified carbon sinks required to counterbalance it.
• Ithaka Consulting Scientific and strategic consulting services for corporations, municipalities, national agencies, and development organizations. Engagements cover carbon certification and standards, technical auditing for pyrolysis technology globally, carbon strategies and climate modelling, material design, carbon farming and tropical agriculture, and climate policy and urban systems advisory. Engagements are negotiated on a project-by-project basis.
• Biochar-Based Building Materials Carbon-negative construction materials using biochar as additive for plaster, bricks, and concrete elements (up to 80% biochar ratio). Provides low thermal conductivity, water absorption up to 5 times weight, humidity regulation (45–70%), and electromagnetic radiation absorption. Developed in collaboration with Hochschule Rapperswil and Empa; certifiable under the Global Construction C-Sink Standard.
• Carbon Farming Field Trial (Nepal) Globally unique long-term field experiment in Ratanpur, Nepal comparing nine carbon farming systems on 10 hectares under subtropical conditions. Synergy between scientific inquiry and farmer practice for maximizing carbon sequestration and agricultural abundance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Yield increases of 50–400% across 13 crop species and 21 field trials using concentrated root-zone application of nutrient-enhanced biochar at 750 kg/ha
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature15 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, supporting and flagship.

• Carbon Standards InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarbon Standards International (CSI) was jointly founded by the Ithaka Institute, EASY-CERT group, and European Biochar Industry Consortium to professionalise the EBC and C-Sink certification. CSI operates the certification for all standards (EBC, Global Biochar C-Sink, Artisan, Construction, Tree, Rock C-Sink) while Ithaka retains development and scientific curation.
• AgroscopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration with Agroscope (Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture) producing the analytical foundation for contaminant control in biochar. Joint work on biochar analytics and the Empyrion project for activated biochar in wastewater treatment.
• Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research to develop the PyCCS concept (Pyrogenic Carbon Capture and Storage) and model its biogeochemical potential at global scale. Werner et al. (2018) modelled PyCCS's contribution to limiting warming to 1.5°C.
• Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Eawag in the Empyrion project for developing activated biochar from biomass residues as an alternative to fossil coal-based activated carbon for wastewater treatment.
• Carbon Drawdown InitiativesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the Carbon Drawdown Initiative and Carbon Standards International on a 2022–2023 prototype enhanced rock weathering project with nine farmers applying 1,200 tonnes of basanite rock powder in Germany, which shaped the Global Rock C-Sink Standard.
• C-Sink Sports (Oxess)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched C-Sink Sports in 2023 with Carbon Standards International and Oxess (snowboard manufacturer), combining NanoC material science with certified carbon removal. World Cup-winning snowboards incorporate atmospheric carbon and athletes compete with verified climate-neutral status.
• Hochschule RapperswilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on measuring and improving material properties of biochar-based building materials including lightweight biochar-concrete panels, biochar-lime bricks, and insulating plasters.
• Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science (Empa)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on measuring and improving material properties of biochar-based building materials.
• University of GeisenheimsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the development of the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) in 2012.
• University of HallesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the development of the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) in 2012.
• ENS ParissupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the development of the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) in 2012.
• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the development of the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) in 2012.
• Swiss Academies of Arts and SciencessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe institute follows the recommendations of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences regarding research integrity.
• German Research Foundation (DFG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe institute implements DFG recommendations on research integrity through its Guidelines for Ensuring Good Research Practice.
• EurofinssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Black Gauß I device for measuring solid electrical conductivity (SEC) of biochar as a permanence proxy, jointly developed by the Ithaka Institute and Eurofins.
• International Biochar Initiative (IBI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerShortly after the EBC was published in 2012, the International Biochar Initiative released an analytical standard for biochar characterisation. While the IBI standard remained focused on analysis, the EBC developed into a comprehensive production, material, and application standard with third-party certification.
• EU-COST Action TD1107supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssisted the institute's 2013 first international biochar inter-laboratory comparison with 24 participating laboratories from 12 countries.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Agroscope: Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture's research arm and long-standing Ithaka partner in biochar analytics, EBC development, and the Empyrion activated biochar project. A peer in biochar science and a key collaborator rather than a direct competitor.
• Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK): German climate science institute that co-developed the PyCCS concept with Ithaka and modeled its 0.6-1.6 Gt CO2/year potential. A scientific peer in carbon cycle modeling and biochar climate mitigation research; collaborator on the IPCC-cited PyCCS work.

Direct peers

• Carbonfuture: Carbon removal registry and marketplace that issues and retires biochar carbon removal credits. Operates in the same biochar CDR vertical as Ithaka's C-Sink ecosystem, providing registry and MRV infrastructure that competes with or complements the Global C-Sink Registry.
• Carbofex: Finnish biochar producer using Kon-Tiki flame-curtain kiln technology. A direct peer as a commercial biochar manufacturer operating under EBC certification and producing credits under biochar CDR standards; comparable on technology, certification, and end markets.
• International Biochar Initiative (IBI): Global non-profit membership organization that develops and promotes biochar standards and best practices. The most direct peer to Ithaka in the biochar ecosystem; both organizations operate in biochar science, standards, and international policy advocacy, with IBI's biochar characterization standard often referenced alongside the EBC.
• European Biochar Industry Consortium (EBI): European biochar producer industry association and co-founder of Carbon Standards International. Represents biochar producers operating under the EBC standard that Ithaka developed; a counterpart in the commercial production side of the same ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Puro.earth: One of the largest CDR methodology and registry platforms, covering biochar, BECCS, and other engineered removal pathways. A broader incumbent in the CDR certification space that competes for buyer attention and methodology acceptance against Ithaka's standards portfolio.
• Verra: Operator of the Verified Carbon Standard and one of the world's largest carbon credit standard bodies. A broader incumbent whose potential biochar methodology development could compete with or reference Ithaka's EBC/C-Sink standards.
• Gold Standard: International carbon credit standard body focused on sustainable development co-benefits. A broader incumbent in voluntary carbon markets whose methodology decisions shape whether Ithaka's smallholder-focused standards gain international recognition.

Emerging players

• Carbon Standards International: Certifier jointly founded by Ithaka, EASY-CERT group, and the European Biochar Industry Consortium in 2021. Operates the EBC and all Global C-Sink Standards that Ithaka develops; effectively the commercial arm of Ithaka's standards work and a partial spin-off of its certification operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ithaka-institute

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ithaka Institute