EarthOptics unveils scalable MIR-based soil-carbon test

EarthOptics has introduced what it says is the first commercially scalable soil-carbon test that uses mid-infrared spectroscopy, a method the company says can cut laboratory costs by more than 50% while meeting registry standards.

The new workflow automates grinding, scanning and chemometric modeling, shortening turnaround times to days from weeks. It also adds particle-size readings, a step meant to improve the accuracy of long-term carbon baselines.

Chief Executive Lars Dyrud said the platform removes the cost barrier that has limited large-acreage projects. “Affordable, high-integrity data are the bottleneck,” Mr. Dyrud said in an interview.

Traditional dry-combustion assays remain the benchmark for verifying soil organic carbon, but they are expensive and labor-intensive. Peer-reviewed studies suggest mid-infrared analysis can deliver comparable accuracy under most soil conditions at a fraction of the price.

The company, which operates laboratories in Memphis, TN, and Emeryville, CA, plans to service multistate projects this summer. Sales Vice President Britt Buchanan said bundling fertility and texture metrics allows growers to see agronomic value in each sample, encouraging wider participation in climate-smart programs.

Demand for verified soil-carbon offsets is expected to grow at a double-digit rate this decade as food companies and agricultural suppliers pursue 2030 emissions goals, according to industry analysts.

EarthOptics said it is submitting validation data to major registries and is in talks with project developers for pilot deployments covering more than 500,000 acres.