An Australian startup called Mineral Carbonation International (MCi) has received funding to establish a carbon dioxide mineral carbonation research pilot plant at the University of Newcastle (UoN) to trial a new technology that transforms captured carbon dioxide emissions into forms of carbonate rock for potential use as building materials in the construction industry.
The pilot project follows six years of research and development undertaken by the UoN, GreenMag Group and industry partner Orica Limited, MCi says. This led to the development of a new method for permanently and safely disposing of carbon from the emissions of fossil fuel electricity generators and other industrial processes, which can effectively close the loop on carbon dioxide altogether.