Carbix: Turning Emissions into Valuable Minerals

Turning Industrial Emissions into Valuable Resources with Carbix

Worldwide, pollutants released from smokestacks pose a threat to the atmosphere. However, capturing these emissions before their release presents an opportunity to both reduce environmental impact and recover valuable materials. Carbix is developing a carbon-sequestering reactor designed to achieve this, extracting minerals from emissions while maintaining a carbon-negative operation.

Addressing the Pressure to Decarbonize

Carbix is responding to the increasing pressure on industries to reduce their carbon footprint, or face financial penalties. The cement manufacturing industry, for example, is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions, prompting companies to actively seek greener alternatives.

Valuable Minerals Lost to the Atmosphere

Surprisingly, essential minerals used in cement production and other industries are currently being wasted. These materials are released as emissions and dispersed into the environment. Carbix recognizes the economic value of these minerals and is able to compensate factories for the opportunity to collect and resell them.

“We are effectively paying emitters for materials they would typically release into the air – a proposition they have no reason to decline,” explains Quincy Sammy, founder of Carbix.

Accelerating Natural Carbon Sequestration

The Carbix process mimics a natural phenomenon: the interaction of atmospheric carbon dioxide with minerals, leading to the formation of new compounds like calcium carbonate, or limestone. Several startups are focused on permanent carbon sequestration through similar methods; Heimdal utilizes seawater, while 44.01 injects carbon-rich water into reactive mineral fields. Carbix focuses on emissions from artificial sources.

Image Credits: Carbix

How the Carbix Reactor Works

The process begins with an analysis of the emissions stream from a large CO2 and particulate source. This analysis allows Carbix to determine which carbonate minerals can be isolated and the necessary steps for extraction.

The facility’s output is then channeled through a Carbix reactor. Inside, the emissions are combined with reactive minerals – such as gypsum and lime kiln dust sourced locally to minimize transportation costs – resulting in useful substances like cement and glass ingredients.

These recovered materials are then sold, preventing their release into the atmosphere and potential deposition in sensitive environments like glaciers.

Scaling Up with the X2 Reactor

The current prototype reactor, known as X1, represents Carbix’s core intellectual property. The company’s upcoming seed funding round will primarily support the development of the X2, a production-scale reactor with significantly increased capacity.

Each X2 reactor is projected to process approximately 16,000 tons of carbonates annually, equivalent to sequestering around 8,000 tons of CO2. Multiple reactors can operate in parallel, and Carbix estimates that a large emitter might utilize ten reactors at a single facility.

Prototype of the X1 reactor. The X2 will be larger by an order of magnitude at least. Image Credits: Carbix

A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

A straightforward arrangement involves the emitter covering the initial installation costs, anticipating future shared benefits. Carbix would then compensate the emitter for the extracted materials – a double advantage, as the emitter would typically receive no revenue from these byproducts while simultaneously reducing their emissions.

Sammy suggests that profit-sharing or alternative agreements are possible, but this initial setup is preferred.

“Establishing a reciprocal relationship with these companies is crucial,” Sammy states. While cement manufacturing is the initial target sector, the Carbix process is adaptable to a wide range of industries.

Versatility and Broad Applicability

“We aim to remain sector-agnostic – flue gas is flue gas. This is why our project is comprehensive; we provide guidance throughout the process. We are demonstrating our ability to operate effectively in any industry,” he clarifies.

Addressing Upfront Costs and Future Growth

Developing hardware for industrial applications requires substantial initial investment. Carbix is currently raising a seed round to finance the construction and certification of the X2 reactor, enabling it to secure insurance and conventional financing. Following this, the company will establish mutually beneficial partnerships with emitters.