In a significant step towards industrial decarbonisation in the region, global building solutions leader Holcim and Omani startup 44.01 have launched a pioneering pilot project in Fujairah. The initiative, a world-first, will capture CO₂ directly from cement production and permanently store it underground by turning it into rock, aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative.
A World First In Carbon Mineralisation
The project marks the first time that CO₂ captured from a cement plant will be mineralised in-situ. Located at one of Holcim’s UAE facilities, the pilot aims to initially capture 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per day.
This captured CO₂ will be injected into underground rock formations where it will undergo a natural mineralisation process, providing a safe, permanent, and verifiable method of carbon removal. This technology offers a scalable solution for hard-to-abate sectors like cement manufacturing, a major contributor to global emissions.
Strategic Collaboration For Scalable Impact
This landmark project is a collaborative effort involving key local and international partners. It benefits from the support of the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation (FNRC), with NT Energies—a joint venture between Technip Energies and NMDC Energy—deploying the carbon capture technology.
“This project demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can accelerate progress toward net zero,” said Ali Said, CEO of Holcim in the UAE and Oman. “Our partnership with 44.01 reinforces our shared commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions and showcases what is possible when industry leaders work together to drive meaningful, scalable impact.”
Talal Hasan, CEO of 44.01, added, “This partnership shows that industrial companies can play a leading role in permanent carbon removal. Working with Holcim, FNRC and NT Energies, we are demonstrating a practical and scalable path to decarbonisation that can be replicated worldwide.”
H.E. Eng. Ali Qassim, General Director of FNRC, highlighted the project’s alignment with national goals. “We highly value our partnership with Holcim and 44.01 on the carbon capture and storage project, which reflects the shared commitment of all parties to supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative and adopting innovative solutions that enhance the sustainability of natural resources.”
A Milestone for 44.01’s Global Ambitions
For 44.01, an Earthshot Prize winner, this pilot represents a critical milestone. It is the Omani startup’s first project with an industrial customer and a major European multinational, validating its technology and business model. The collaboration strengthens 44.01’s customer pipeline as it works to scale its award-winning carbon mineralisation technology into a global, gigaton-level carbon storage solution.
About 44.01
Named after the molecular weight of carbon dioxide, 44.01 is an Omani company that permanently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere by mineralising it in peridotite, a rock found in abundance in Oman and around the world. The company won Prince William’s Earthshot Prize in 2022 for its innovative approach to climate change.
About Holcim
Holcim is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. Driven by its purpose to build progress for people and the planet, its 60,000 employees are on a mission to decarbonise building while improving living standards for all. The company is empowering its customers across all regions to build better with less, with its broad range of low-carbon and circular solutions.
Source: Zawya
