Silicate uses the silicate-carbonate cycle to achieve this carbon removal. Silicate’s weathering agent, which is derived from returned concrete, reacts with carbonic acid in the soil to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide, forming bicarbonate and calcite. The used material not only removes carbon from the atmosphere, storing it in an inert state for millennia, but can also help to reduce ocean acidification.
The team partners with farmers to help them farm more sustainably. The company’s material replaces agricultural lime as a soil pH amendment. As well as permanently sequestering carbon, the material has co-benefits to the crops where it is applied, such as boosting root health and enhancing the impact of fertilisers.
The Silicate team is laser-focused on delivering a robust, science-based, permanent carbon removal solution. With the team members’ experience across geochemistry, agriculture and carbon finance, Silicate’s mission is to durably and safely remove 1 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2040.
Through field trials in the south-east of Ireland, Silicate has already successfully demonstrated the significant carbon removal potential of returned concrete. With the backing of their first customers, the team is now rolling out their first commercial-scale pilot. During the ClimAccelerator programme and with support from Munich Re and ERGO, Silicate aims on working on assessing and mitigating risk, and on scaling into new markets.
For further information, please go to https://www.silicatecarbon.com/.
