Mitsubishi, Alt Carbon Expand CO₂ Removal in South Asia

• The CDR company is poised to remove CO₂ on a massive scale as the demand for carbon removal projects is on the rise.
• Their ERW technology helps lock captured carbon for more than 10,000 years in the ocean.

India-based carbon sequestration solution provider Alt Carbon has partnered with Mitsubishi Corporation to expand carbon removal efforts in Southeast Asia using advanced technology.

Alt Carbon specialises in Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and has developed an Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) process. The company aims to generate high-quality carbon removal credits through this partnership, which other businesses can use to offset their emissions.

What is Enhanced Rock Weathering?

This method works when crushed or pulverised basalt rock is spread on agricultural land. When it rains, the rock interacts with rainwater, naturally absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil. The dissolved carbon then travels through river networks and reaches the ocean, where it gets locked for more than 10,000 years.

READ MORE: Lithos Carbon and Morin Ag Use Basalt for CO2 Capture

Not only does this process remove carbon from the air, but it also enriches soil fertility, improves crop yield, benefits local farmers, as well as prepares them to be more climate-resilient.

The company has been recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for ushering businesses in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It has partnered with premier institutions in India, like the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the Darjeeling-Climate Action Lab (D-CAL), to expand research and development in carbon removal technology.

Co-founder & CEO Shrey Agarwal, Alt Carbon, said: "Having an institution like Mitsubishi Corporation recognise and support our efforts entrenches our belief in the science and technology behind ERW for carbon removal.

"In 15 months, we have rigorously tested and modelled our operations and technology in the single pursuit of removing carbon dioxide. This is just the first step, but it feels like a giant leap as MC partners with us to make India a hub for carbon removal."

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Alt Carbon is also expanding its global operation and became the first Indian company to enter an agreement with Frontier, a $1+ billion permanent carbon removal initiative. Stripe, Shopify, Alphabet, Meta, Watershed and other companies have already bought their ERW-based carbon credits, and so far, the company has generated $500,000.

In Northeast India, as part of its Darjeeling Revival Project, Alt Carbon aims to cover 500,000 hectares of land by 2030, reducing about 5 million tonnes of CO₂ each year, with further plans to remove 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ annually across South Asia.

Tadashi Sawamura, GM, Carbon Management Dept., Mitsubishi Corporation, commented: "Removal of carbon dioxide is critical to meet net-zero emissions by 2050. With Alt Carbon, we have a formidable partner with highly innovative technology in a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering process that locks carbon in the ocean sink.

"From removing carbon, helping local farmers, and stringent testing measures to generate CDR credits, Alt Carbon is uniquely positioned to capture the ERW market. MC's commitment to decarbonization is unwavering and reflects our dedication to a sustainable future, as we scale the CDR industry through our collaboration with Alt Carbon in ERW."

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Source: Alt Carbon