Latest news with #ProjectHajar
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Carbon capture company wins $5m to scale up
A carbon capture company has won a $5m international prize to scale up its work. UNDO, founded by Jim Mann, won an Xprize competition offering cash prizes for projects that could combat climate change. It followed a Newcastle University study at Nafferton Farm in Northumberland which demonstrated that spreading volcanic dust on farmland, a material that captures carbon from the air, could also increase crop yields by more than 20%. Mr Mann, who is a former Durham University ecology student, said the collaboration with Newcastle University was "instrumental" in advancing the technology. Basalt rock found in soil in the north-east of England was crushed into dust and given to farmers, in field tests published last year. What is carbon capture and how does it fight climate change? Newcastle professor David Manning, who led the study, said: "Research at Nafferton Farm has shown that, in a bad year for crop growth, use of basaltic rock dust gives increased yields, suggesting that it is particularly helpful when plants are under stress." Following the prize win, Manufacturer UNDO said it would "remain focused on building the foundations for a world where enhanced rock weathering becomes a common farming practice". The main winner of the XPrize competition was India's Mati Carbon, which was awarded $50m. UNDO was one of three runners-up, with Canada's Planetary receiving $1m for ocean work and the UAE's Project Hajar awarded $1m for direct air capture. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Carbon capture volcanic rock 'boosts farm yields' What is carbon capture and can it fight climate change? Could 'magic dust' help cool the planet? UNDO XPrize Newcastle University
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
UNDO carbon capture company wins $5m XPrize to scale up
A carbon capture company has won a $5m international prize to scale up its founded by Jim Mann, won an Xprize competition offering cash prizes for projects that could combat climate followed a Newcastle University study at Nafferton Farm in Northumberland which demonstrated that spreading volcanic dust on farmland, a material that captures carbon from the air, could also increase crop yields by more than 20%.Mr Mann, who is a former Durham University ecology student, said the collaboration with Newcastle University was "instrumental" in advancing the technology. Basalt rock found in soil in the north-east of England was crushed into dust and given to farmers, in field tests published last is carbon capture and how does it fight climate change?Newcastle professor David Manning, who led the study, said: "Research at Nafferton Farm has shown that, in a bad year for crop growth, use of basaltic rock dust gives increased yields, suggesting that it is particularly helpful when plants are under stress."Following the prize win, Manufacturer UNDO said it would "remain focused on building the foundations for a world where enhanced rock weathering becomes a common farming practice". The main winner of the XPrize competition was India's Mati Carbon, which was awarded $50m. UNDO was one of three runners-up, with Canada's Planetary receiving $1m for ocean work and the UAE's Project Hajar awarded $1m for direct air capture. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Times of Oman
24-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Omani startup 44.01 wins $1 million XFACTOR award for innovative carbon removal solution
New York: Omani startup 44.01 was today announced as the winner of the Air category of the XPRIZE's carbon removal competition and awarded a $1 million XFACTOR prize. 44.01's project, based in Fujairah, UAE, uses Direct Air Capture technology to capture CO2 from the air, which 44.01 then mineralises, ensuring it can never escape back into the atmosphere. The four-year global XPRIZE competition challenged teams around the world to develop high-quality carbon dioxide removal solutions that are scalable to gigatonne level. More than 1,300 teams from nearly 80 countries competed. 20 finalists were selected in May 2024, with the winners announced in New York today. 44.01's project is one of the world's first in the world to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and store it durably underground. The XPRIZE Judges felt the project represents a compelling example of a safe, high-quality, scalable carbon removal solutions with potential to make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change. Talal Hasan, Founder and CEO of 44.01, said 'The success of Project Hajar is testament to the leading role our region can play in decarbonising our atmosphere, providing new jobs and opportunities as we navigate the energy transition. Our climate needs decarbonisation solutions that can be deployed at scale, and we are working hard to scale up our technology in the Middle East and export it around the world.' 44.01 has demonstrated its mineralisation technology in Oman and the UAE and is now working to scale its technology and expand internationally. Mineralisation can be deployed on every continent and can play a significant role in helping remove CO2 from the atmosphere, decarbonise heavy industries and help countries reach their Net Zero ambitions.
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Omani startup 44.01 wins $1mlnn XFACTOR award for innovative carbon removal solution
New York: Omani startup 44.01 was today announced as the winner of the Air category of the XPRIZE's carbon removal competition and awarded a $1 million XFACTOR prize. 44.01's project, based in Fujairah, UAE, uses Direct Air Capture technology to capture CO2 from the air, which 44.01 then mineralises, ensuring it can never escape back into the atmosphere. The four-year global XPRIZE competition challenged teams around the world to develop high-quality carbon dioxide removal solutions that are scalable to gigatonne level. More than 1,300 teams from nearly 80 countries competed. 20 finalists were selected in May 2024, with the winners announced in New York today. 44.01's project is one of the world's first in the world to capture CO2 from the atmosphere and store it durably underground. The XPRIZE Judges felt the project represents a compelling example of a safe, high-quality, scalable carbon removal solutions with potential to make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change. Talal Hasan, Founder and CEO of 44.01, said 'The success of Project Hajar is testament to the leading role our region can play in decarbonising our atmosphere, providing new jobs and opportunities as we navigate the energy transition. Our climate needs decarbonisation solutions that can be deployed at scale, and we are working hard to scale up our technology in the Middle East and export it around the world.' 44.01 has demonstrated its mineralisation technology in Oman and the UAE and is now working to scale its technology and expand internationally. Mineralisation can be deployed on every continent and can play a significant role in helping remove CO2 from the atmosphere, decarbonise heavy industries and help countries reach their Net Zero ambitions. About 44.01 44.01 eliminates CO2 by turning it into rock. The company's pioneering technology accelerates the natural process of CO2 mineralisation to remove CO2 permanently in less than twelve months. 44.01 takes CO2 captured from the atmosphere, or from hard-to-abate industrial processes, helping decarbonise vital industries and ultimately return the atmosphere to sustainable levels of CO2. The process is safe, scalable and lasts forever. About XPRIZE XPRIZE is the recognized global leader in designing and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity's greatest challenges. For over 30 years, our unique model has democratized innovation by incentivizing crowd-sourced innovation and scientifically viable solutions that accelerate a more equitable and abundant future. Donate, learn more, and co-architect a world of abundance with us at
Observer
23-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Omani startup wins $1 million XFACTOR award
NEW YORK: Omani startup 44.01 was on Wednesday announced as the winner of the Air category of the XPRIZE's carbon removal competition and awarded a $1 million XFACTOR prize. 44.01's project, based in Fujairah, UAE, uses Direct Air Capture technology to capture CO₂ from the air, which 44.01 then mineralises, ensuring it can never escape back into the atmosphere. The four-year global XPRIZE competition challenged teams around the world to develop high-quality carbon dioxide removal solutions that are scalable to gigatonne level. More than 1,300 teams from nearly 80 countries competed. 20 finalists were selected in May 2024, with the winners announced in New York. 44.01's project is one of the world's first in the world to capture CO₂ from the atmosphere and store it durably underground. The XPRIZE Judges felt the project represents a compelling example of a safe, high-quality, scalable carbon removal solutions with potential to make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change. Talal Hasan, Founder and CEO of 44.01, said 'The success of Project Hajar is testament to the leading role our region can play in decarbonising our atmosphere, providing new jobs and opportunities as we navigate the energy transition. Our climate needs decarbonisation solutions that can be deployed at scale and we are working hard to scale up our technology in the Middle East and export it around the world.' 44.01 has demonstrated its mineralisation technology in Oman and the UAE; and is now working to scale its technology and expand internationally. Mineralisation can be deployed on every continent and can play a significant role in helping remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, decarbonise heavy industries and help countries reach their Net-Zero ambitions.
