Frontier Signs $11.7M Carbon Mineralization Agreement
The deal with 44.01 seeks to scale in-situ rock mineralization technology from 2028 to 2031.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Environmental
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Frontier buyers have signed an $11.7 million agreement to purchase the removal of 20,932 tons of CO2 from the startup 44.01. This commercial agreement spans 2028 through 2031 and aims to scale the startup’s in-situ mineralization technology.
Why it matters
The investment accelerates the transition of mineral-based carbon capture from pilot testing to commercial operation by generating essential cost and performance data. It tests whether reactive rock formations can provide a scalable, permanent alternative to conventional storage.
The agreement covers the sequestration of 20,932 tons of carbon via in-situ mineralization. This process, which takes one to three years to finalize, converts CO2 into solid rock within peridotite formations and is currently being assessed for global storage capacity.
The players
Frontier
A coalition of buyers that facilitates the purchase of early-stage carbon removal technologies to accelerate industry scaling.
44.01
A carbon removal startup that utilizes in-situ mineralization to convert CO2 into solid rock within underground peridotite formations.
The details
44.01 uses in-situ mineralization—a process where CO2 is dissolved in water and injected into underground peridotite formations—to permanently solidify the gas. The technique relies on injection measurements, monitoring wells, and geophysical sensors to track the underground movement of CO2. By injecting the gas into specific rock types that react with it to form solid minerals, the company aims to bypass the logistical challenges of transporting carbon to conventional, more distant storage sites.
Timeline
2028-2031: Removal of 20,932 tons of CO2
The Tech Race
This project positions in-situ mineralization against conventional carbon storage, which often requires transporting CO2 over 300 kilometers to reach suitable reservoirs. The initiative seeks to prove that reactive rock formations can be leveraged to handle industrial emissions closer to the source.
This technology aims to reduce the logistical hurdles for heavy industries by enabling storage closer to emission sources than conventional methods. If successfully scaled, it may provide a permanent, geologically integrated disposal method for industrial sectors currently lacking capture infrastructure.
The takeaway
The performance and cost data shared through this agreement will determine if 44.01 can bridge the gap between pilot demonstrations in Oman and UAE and large-scale industrial deployment. Stakeholders should track future operational findings to see if mineralization speeds and storage costs align with long-term climate targets.
Further reading
For broader developments in carbon capture, see our Environmental section.
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