UNDO carbon capture company wins $5m XPrize to scale up
Basalt rock found in soil in the north-east of England was crushed into dust and given to farmers, in field tests published last year.What is carbon capture and how does it fight climate change?Newcastle professor David Manning, who led the study, said: "Research at Nafferton Farm has shown that, in a bad year for crop growth, use of basaltic rock dust gives increased yields, suggesting that it is particularly helpful when plants are under stress."Following the prize win, Manufacturer UNDO said it would "remain focused on building the foundations for a world where enhanced rock weathering becomes a common farming practice".
The main winner of the XPrize competition was India's Mati Carbon, which was awarded $50m. UNDO was one of three runners-up, with Canada's Planetary receiving $1m for ocean work and the UAE's Project Hajar awarded $1m for direct air capture.
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