MUSCAT, SEPT 23
In an era where combating climate change is of paramount importance, the role of technological innovations in carbon removal cannot be overstated. Recently, renowned philanthropist Bill Gates emphasised the significance of "massive carbon removal," stating that it is vital to address the persistence of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere for thousands of years. During the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit held in New York last week, Gates lauded 44.01, a pioneering Omani start-up engaged in carbon mineralisation, for their groundbreaking work in this domain. Mineralisation, according to Gates, represents the "gold standard" in carbon removal, ensuring permanent elimination of CO2 and averting its escape into the atmosphere.
Further endorsing the effectiveness of carbon removal technologies, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg expressed his optimism in achieving global carbon emission reduction goals with the help of initiatives like 44.01's innovative approach. This recognition underscores the increasing importance of sustainable solutions in combatting climate change.
In May this year, 44.01, an award-winning Omani carbon mineralisation start-up, has signed a historic pact with Oman's Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) to embark on the world's first commercial-scale peridotite mineralisation project. Planned for initiation in 2024, this pioneering endeavour will be conducted in the Hajar mountains and is expected to be the largest peridotite mineralisation activity in the world. Notably, it will also mark the first commercial demonstration of mineralizing multiple tonnes of CO2 each day.
The groundwork for this landmark project has already been laid by 44.01 through a successful pilot project in Al Qabil, a site where they achieved conclusive results and proved the efficacy, safety, and permanence of their carbon removal process. In their approach, 44.01 captures CO2 from either industrial processes or directly from the atmosphere. They then dissolve it in water and inject it into peridotite formations deep underground. Through this innovative method, the CO2 undergoes mineralisation, transforming into rock and preventing its release back into the atmosphere.
Peridotite, an abundant ultramafic rock in Oman, possesses natural carbon mineralisation capabilities, albeit over a prolonged timeframe spanning several decades. However, 44.01's cutting-edge technology accelerates this process significantly, providing a secure, scalable, and time-efficient means of eliminating CO2 in less than a year.
44.01 won the Earthshot Prize and an XPrize Milestone Award in 2022. The name 44.01 came from the molecular mass of carbon dioxide which is 44.01 g/mol.
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