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Find biochar among more than 1480 biobased products listed
Biochar Engineering Corporation (BEC) is pleased to announce the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) BioPreferred program, a Federal purchasing program for biobased products, recently has added BEC’s biochar to its online product catalog. With its searchable and user-friendly database, anyone can use the online catalog to find biobased products that meet BioPreferred program requirements.
BEC’s biochar is 100% biobased, generally sourced from waste wood products at Colorado lumber mills. Biochar is receiving significant international attention for its potential to improve soil water retention, reduce nutrient leaching and soil bulk density, increase cation exchange capacity (CEC)—thereby increasing crop yields. In addition, biochar can sequester net carbon from the atmosphere, making it an important player in the portfolio of climate change solutions.
“Biochar Engineering is proud that our biochar has been included in USDA’s BioPreferred list,” says Jim Fournier, BEC’s President and Founder. “After four years working on biochar technology and product development, we are pleased to offer a high-quality biochar product that is optimized for both soil fertility and carbon sequestration.”
BioPreferred is a Federal program that seeks to increase the purchase and use of biobased goods — products made from biological or renewable materials.
“Initially, the catalog was created to help Federal procurement officers identify biobased products that qualify for preferred purchasing,” said Ron Buckhalt, BioPreferred’s program manager. “But the BioPreferred online catalog is accessible to anyone who wants to search for biobased products. We are gratified so many find the catalog a useful tool.”
BioPreferred’s online product catalog is searchable by product category (i.e. construction and road maintenance, housewares and cleaning products, etc) and further by subcategory, manufacturer name or product name. Today, more than 1480 biobased products manufactured by more than 320 companies are in the online catalog, with new products continually being added.
Biochar is listed in the catalog Landscaping and Agriculture category under both the Fertilizers and Compost/Mulch subcategories. Items in this section typically are used for improving soil quality, increasing crop yields, and remediating soil problems.
BioPreferred estimates more than 19,000 biobased products are commercially available, and manufactured by more than 2,540 businesses, both large and small— including many in rural communities. The 2002 Farm Bill, then reauthorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, requires all Federal agencies to give procurement preference to BioPreferred designated items, helping biobased manufacturers gain a portion of the estimated $500 billion Federal agencies annually spend on products and services. Additional product development support for biobased manufacturers and Federal environmental purchasing mandates came in October 2009 with Executive Order 13514: Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance. This Administration directive requires Federal agencies to purchase various “green” items (including BioPreferred products) in 95 percent of all applicable contracts.
About Biochar Engineering (BEC)
Headquartered in Golden, Colorado, Biochar Engineering Corporation (biocharengineering.com) is one of the leading biochar companies worldwide. Founded in 2006, BEC produces and sells mobile, modular, biochar production technology and high-quality biochar, as well as offering biochar research services, including feedstock testing, biochar characterization, and feasibility studies.
About biobased products
As defined by Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA), “biobased products” are products determined by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to be commercial or industrial goods (other than food or feed) composed in whole or in significant part of biological products, forestry materials or renewable domestic agricultural materials, including plant, animal or marine materials.
About BioPreferred
BioPreferred (biopreferred.gov) was created by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), and expanded by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture manages the program. BioPreferred includes a preferred procurement program for Federal agencies and contractors, and a voluntary labeling program for the broad scale consumer marketing of biobased products.
A complete list and detailed description of each BioPreferred designated item, and items for future designation, can be found online or follow BioPreferred at twitter.com/BioPreferred.
Biochar Engineering Corporate Contact:
Jonah Levine, VP of Business Development
E: jonah[.]biocharengineering.com.
BioPreferred Media Contact:
Keri Geffert English, Osborn & Barr
P: 816-472-2900 / E: geffertenglishk[.]osborn-barr.com.
USDA Contact:
Ron Buckhalt, Program Manager, BioPreferred
P: 202-205-4008 / E: ronb.buckhalt[.]da.usda.gov.
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lopa[.]biocharengineering.com 
