Certifying regions as biomanufacturing-ready. Attracting billions where biomass can win.
A BDO Zone Rating is an internationally recognized, standards-based technical risk assessment of a region’s feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure, the investment-grade signal that unlocks bio-project development and connects regions with the world’s largest network of active developers.
The investment-grade signal that puts your region on the global biomass map.
Every BDO Zone Rating assesses a region across three dimensions, mapped as expanding radii around a candidate site.
A BDO Zone Rating delivers for every stakeholder.
Credibly promote your biomass assets to investors worldwide
A BDO Zone Rating is a site-location bullseye for bio-project developers, accelerating capital flow to the areas where new biomanufacturing plants are most likely to succeed and creating permanent clean energy jobs.
- Credibly promote investment-grade biomass assets globally
- Attract new biofuel & biomanufacturing plants
- Create permanent local clean energy jobs
- Connect with the world's largest bio-project developer network
Fast-track site selection with investment-grade regional intelligence
Ratings signal that a region has undergone rigorous due diligence across 100+ standardized risk indicators. Accelerate investment decisions and deploy capital more accurately and with less risk.
- Fast identification of optimal development areas
- Accelerate capital flow to biobased projects
- More accurate, less risky capital deployment
- Tripled deal flow reported post-rating announcement
Leverage biomass assets to create jobs and reduce wildfire risk
Leverage surplus agricultural and forestry assets to attract new clean energy development. Decrease wildfire risk through market-based biomass utilization. Diversify rural economies beyond commodities.
- Leverage surplus agricultural & forestry assets
- Rural clean energy job creation
- Decrease wildfire risk via market-based solutions
- Credible, bankable path to net zero
A clear, standardized signal for capital markets, from investment-grade to speculative.
‘AAA’ ratings denote the highest prospective viability of FS&I attributes in the BDO Zone and the lowest expectation of default risk over time. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong fundamental characteristics related to feedstock supply chain and infrastructure capacity. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
Analytical independence is the foundation of every rating.
Ratings are issued by IBRA, the International Biomass Rating Agency, which enforces strict separation between commercial and analytical functions. Determinations are made by committee consensus. No trading. No project development. No conflicts of any kind.
Visit ibraratings.org for the full methodology →67+ regions rated across North America.
The world’s largest network of active bio-project developers, and your region gets connected to all of them.
The BDO Zone™ Strategic Partners Network unites best-of-kind companies specializing in mitigating risks and catalyzing advancement of biobased project development in BDO Zone™ Rated Regions. The Strategic Partners Network consists of capital markets, project developers, technology companies, and supply chain experts.
How a BDO Zone Rating is assigned.
The rating process runs in two phases, Analysis and Promotion. The Analysis Phase typically takes four to sixteen weeks and assesses up to 100 biomass supply chain and infrastructure risk indicators against internationally recognized national standards. It is followed by a 12 to 36 month Promotion Phase that supports and promotes your BDO Zone rating worldwide to drive new biobased development to the issuer.
Initiating the BDO Zone Ratings Process
The process for obtaining a BDO Zone rating typically starts when an economic development body, community leader, or local government reaches out to the BDO Zone Initiative or an accredited BDO Zone rating agency like Ecostrat Inc. to request a BDO Zone rating.
To initiate the ratings process, your organization signs an engagement letter which includes confidentiality provisions.
We then assign a ratings director and primary and secondary analysts based on the biomass category you are getting rated for and your geographic area. Our analysts have a wide range of backgrounds and extensive experience in understanding and quantifying biomass supply chain and infrastructure risk.
- All discussions regarding rating fees and commercial matters will be handled exclusively by the BDO Zone Initiative Business Development team.
- Any reference to the commercial aspect of the BDO Zone rating is not permitted during any analytical discussion with issuers.
Real outcomes from real regions.
The weeks after the certification announcement tripled our deal flow on the forestry products side.
We can do all the outreach we want, but the value is definitely in getting the BDO Zone designation out there. I've had more than 20 companies reach out simply because they found us through the BDO Zone. These are companies that didn't even know our region existed before. Leveraging the network the BDO Zone gave us has been absolutely tremendous.
Once our A Rating was published, it de-risked the feedstock potential and interest surged, Provectus Biofuels and three other companies reached out.
Tools, guides, and funding to move your region forward.
Canada FIRM Challenge
A national challenge to expand domestic markets for forest biomass through a network of 100 shovel-ready BDO Zones across Canada.
Learn more →Funding'B-RREADI' America Challenge
Biofuel Regional Readiness for Industry, funding independent BDO Zone Ratings to make communities investment-ready across America.
Learn more →Funding'B-RREADI' Wildfire Challenge
Biofuel Regional Readiness for Industry focused on reducing wildfire risk through market-based biomass utilization.
Learn more →ResourceBDO Zone Self-Assessment Tool
An interactive tool to gauge your region's readiness for a BDO Zone Rating before you apply.
Open the tool →FundingFederal Funding Opportunities
Funding is now available to obtain a BDO Zone Rating, the economic development tool recognized by the USDA.
View opportunities →ResourceEndorsement from Business & Industry Associations
Statements of support for the BDO Zone Initiative from leading business and industry associations.
See who has endorsed →New ratings issued constantly across North America.
Preston County, West Virginia Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
Preston County, West Virginia receives a BDO Zone 'A' rating for woody biomass — pulpwood and forest residues — anchored by the 42-acre former TAZ Sawmill Site near Interstate 68.
Read more →Canton, South Dakota Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Corn Stover
Canton receives South Dakota's first BDO Zone 'A' rating, certifying 700,000 bone dry tons per year of low-risk corn stover within a 75-mile radius of the Sioux Metro region.
Read more →Plumas County, California Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
Plumas County, California receives a BDO Zone 'A' rating for 255,000 bone dry tons per year of woody biomass from pulpwood and forest residues.
Read more →Cavalier County, North Dakota issued BDO Zone 'A' rating for canola seed
Cavalier County, North Dakota is issued a BDO Zone 'A' rating for canola seed.
Read more →Malheur County, Oregon issued BDO Zone 'A' rating for dairy & feedlot manure
Malheur County, Oregon is issued a BDO Zone 'A' rating for dairy & feedlot manure.
Read more →Placer, Nevada & El Dorado Counties awarded investment-grade BDO Zone ratings
Three California counties earn investment-grade ratings, clearing the path for biomanufacturing investment and plant announcements.
Read more →Laurel County, Kentucky issued BDO Zone 'A' rating for woody biomass
The Kentucky region earns a BDO Zone 'A' for woody biomass, signaling readiness for bio-project developers.
Read more →Esterhazy, Saskatchewan Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Flax Straw
The Town of Esterhazy, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative announced an investment grade 'A' Rating for flax straw.
Read more →Ashtabula, Ohio Issued BDO Zone 'BB' Rating for Miscanthus Biomass
Ashtabula County, Ohio earns a BDO Zone 'BB' Rating for miscanthus biomass, laying groundwork for future biomanufacturing investment.
Read more →Clearwater County, ID Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
Clearwater County, Idaho earns an investment grade BDO Zone 'A' rating for 114,000 bone dry tons of woody biomass annually.
Read more →Regina, Saskatchewan Issued 3 Investment-Grade BDO Zone Ratings
Regina, SK receives three investment-grade BDO Zone Ratings, establishing it as a premier bio-based manufacturing hub with exceptional biomass resources.
Read more →Macon County, Alabama Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
Macon County, Alabama earns an investment grade BDO Zone 'A' Rating for over 1 million bone dry tons of woody biomass per year.
Read more →Find regions suited to the feedstock you want, in the volumes and at the price you need. Every new BDO Zone Rating reaches you the moment it’s issued, so you’re first to the opportunities that fit your project.