Aymium, a leading innovator in renewable biocarbon solutions, has secured $210 million in financing to construct a new biocarbon production facility in Williams, California. Scheduled for completion in 2025, this facility will be the world’s first large-scale, continuous operation dedicated to replacing coal with advanced biocarbon for power generation. The transition from coal to Aymium’s biocarbon is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 500,000 metric tons annually, equivalent to removing more than 120,000 cars from the road each year.
The funding for this venture comes from a global consortium dedicated to advancing cutting-edge decarbonisation technologies. Senior debt financing, structured as green bonds, is being jointly provided by ECP ForeStar and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) through its Green Credit Fund. Subordinated debt is being contributed by Japan Green Investment Corp. for Carbon Neutrality (JICN) alongside Aymium itself. Equity investments are being made by Hokuriku Electric Power Company, Nippon Steel Trading, and Aymium.
In 2022, Aymium and Steel Dynamics formed SDI Biocarbon Solutions to develop a biocarbon production facility in Mississippi, which is set to become operational later this year. This initiative aims to reduce Steel Dynamics’ Scope 1 emissions by up to 25% by replacing fossil fuels with renewable biocarbon in their steelmaking process.
Aymium’s biocarbon product is produced through an innovative non-combustion process, making it the only commercially demonstrated carbon-negative alternative to coal in power generation. This method converts waste biomass into high-purity biocarbon, designed to replace fossil coal directly without requiring modifications to existing power plants. The biocarbon boasts superior energy efficiency, handling characteristics, and environmental benefits compared to coal. Aymium’s process is powered by self-generated renewable energy and utilises third-party certified sustainable waste biomass. The company’s technological advancements are protected by over 500 issued and pending patents.