New York: The Omani startup 44. 01 has been recognized today as the victor in the Air category of the XPRIZE carbon removal contest, receiving a prize of $1 million from XFACTOR. Based in Fujairah, UAE, 44. 01 employs Direct Air Capture technology to extract CO2 from the atmosphere, subsequently mineralizing it to prevent any return to the air.
Over four years, the global XPRIZE competition invited teams from across the globe to create effective carbon dioxide removal methods that could be scaled to a gigatonne level. A total of more than 1,300 teams from nearly 80 countries participated. In May 2024, 20 finalists were chosen, and the victors were revealed today in New York.
The project by 44. 01 is among the first worldwide to effectively capture atmospheric CO2 and secure it underground in a permanent manner. The judges of the XPRIZE acknowledged that the initiative serves as an exemplary model of a safe, high-quality, and scalable carbon removal strategy that holds significant promise in combating climate change.
According to Talal Hasan, Founder and CEO of 44. 01, “The achievement of Project Hajar highlights the pivotal role our region can undertake in reducing atmospheric carbon, while also generating new employment opportunities as we progress through the energy transition. Our climate critically requires decarbonization methods that can be implemented at scale, and we are diligently working to enhance our technology in the Middle East before sharing it globally. ”
44. 01 has validated its mineralization technology in Oman and the UAE and is now focused on broadening its technology and reaching international markets. This mineralization approach can be implemented across all continents, making it a crucial element in removing CO2 from the air, aiding in decarbonizing heavy industries, and assisting nations in achieving their Net Zero goals.
