BluSky Carbon Inc. has signed a preliminary strategic partnership agreement with Carbonpave USA to commercialise the latter’s asphalt and construction technologies across North America. The agreement, executed on 3 September, sets out plans to establish a joint venture with BluSky holding a 70% stake and Carbonpave 30%.
Carbonpave develops construction materials incorporating biochar and engineered carbon. Its cold asphalt mix is designed for use in lower temperatures, reportedly down to –8ºC, and is currently in operation on more than 1,000 kilometres of roads globally. The company says its technology is undergoing further certification by several U.S. state Departments of Transportation.
Under the agreement, BluSky will seek $4.75 million in project financing for an initial production facility, to be located at its AR1 site in Arkansas. The venture will lease one pyrolysis unit from BluSky and acquire another for research and development purposes. Both companies have agreed not to compete in North America on sales of products produced by the joint venture.
Andre van Zyl, Carbonpave’s founder and chief executive, has decades of experience in process plant design and has spent the past 15 years focusing on road surfacing technologies. He has led the development of low-carbon construction materials adapted to different climates and soil conditions.
Will Hessert, chief executive of BluSky Carbon, said: “Carbonpave cold asphalt lets companies pave months more out of the year, reduce their material costs dramatically, and helps them win contracts by lowering their carbon footprint. I fully believe this technology will create demand for millions of tons of biochar across the United States and Canada and will transform how modern countries build infrastructure.”
The two companies will now work to secure financing before 18 February 2026, at which point the joint venture will be formalised. If successful, the partners may expand beyond North America.
