Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) involves spreading silicate rock dust on fields to capture carbon.
However, there are a few kinks that need ironing out.
One issue is that ERW can take decades to pull carbon from the air.
London-based startup FabricNano has developed a workaround.
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It cuts the time from decades to just a couple years.
It is found in plentiful supply in agricultural soils around the world.
FabricNano specialises incell-free biomanufacturing.
This helps to produce bio-based alternatives to things like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other enzymes.
This is the companys first foray into carbon capture.
The partners will combine the protein powder with silicate rock on a stretch of farmland near Bicester, UK.
The land is managed byOxford Agricultural Trials which acts as an open air laboratory for agriculture research.
The trial will use locally sourced, larger rock particles from nearby mining operations.
However, like manyemerging carbon capture technologies, rock weathering is still unproven at scale.
[ERW] still requires innovation and government oversight, said Aarons in anop-edfor TNW.
This year, Veolia plans to spread 30,000 tonnes of basalt rock powder across farmland.
For every tonne of carbon removed, it will sell one carbon credit.
Companies and countries can buy these credits as a way to offset their emissions.
Issuers of these credits have come under mounting scrutiny for overinflating their value.
Governmental intervention is essential to legitimise carbon markets and spur widespread adoption of this critical technology, said Aarons.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
