Could biochar be the key to Algoma Steel's future? Sault Ste. Marie is exploring a partnership with local forestry firms to produce biochar, a form of charcoal made from processed plant matter in a low-oxygen environment. This innovative approach could significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance the efficiency of Algoma Steel's new electric arc furnaces. Ward 5 Coun. Corey Gardi highlights the potential of biochar, stating that it can act as a foaming agent, replace coke or anthracite as a carbon source, improve slag dynamics, increase steel yield, and reduce CO₂ emissions. The Ontario government's 2025 Interim Report on the Forest Biomass Action Plan specifically mentions biochar in steel production as a primary carbon reduction strategy. Algoma Steel's membership in the Canadian Iron & Steel Energy Research Association further solidifies its commitment to exploring biocarbon for electric arc furnace slag foaming. While the company hasn't built its own biochar plants, it is positioned as the primary anchor customer for potential biochar producers in the region, such as CHAR Technologies, which has expanded its facilities in Ontario. The city council has voted in favor of a resolution to explore biochar as part of 'green economy' initiatives, including a district energy network to capture industrial waste heat and prioritizing 'green logistics' at the Sault's proposed port expansion. These initiatives aim to facilitate the movement of bio-products and critical minerals needed by the EV supply chain, offering a promising path towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Algoma Steel and the city.
