UNDO, a UK-based startup is partnering with Canadian Wollastonite, a Kingston-based mining company, to capture carbon from the atmosphere and help crops.
On Aug. 20, The Journal visited the mining site and interviewed representatives from both UNDO and Canadian Wollastonite.
According to their website, UNDO offers a permanent solution for carbon removal and removes carbon through a technology called enhanced rock weathering (ERW).
The process of rain falling through the atmosphere combines with carbon dioxide to produce carbonic acid. When this carbonic acid lands on silicate rocks, it mineralizes, and carbon is stored as a solid carbonate form. This process is called rock weathering, and it happens naturally every year.
ERW accelerates natural rock weathering by spreading crushed rock on agricultural land, increasing the rocks’ with carbon dioxide. Increasing the rocks’ with carbon dioxide allows carbon to be captured faster than its natural rate.
Crushed wollastonite is applied to farm fields to decrease fertilizer use.
UNDO’s main monetization strategy involves selling carbon credits. UNDO’s partners include Microsoft, McLaren Racing, and British Airways.
Canadian Wollastonite is the only wollastonite mine in Canada, according to their website.
The Journal discussed the necessity of decarbonization in an interview with Jim Mann, founder and CEO of UNDO.
“We need both reduced emissions and increased removals,” he said.
Mann explained the public should not dismiss other methods to combat climate change because humanity will need every solution.
Canadian Wollastonite has 17 million tonnes of wollastonite, and has set a goal to remove one million tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to a 2023 press release.
The press release from UNDO also said wollastonite absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere 10 times faster than comparable silicate minerals. Bob Vasily, president of Canadian Wollastonite, told The Journal. Canadian Wollastonite has planted over 15,000 trees, built wetlands, and uses solar power in an effort to be environmentally conscious.
“Silicate rocks, such as basalt and wollastonite, are rich in minerals. As they weather, they release nutrients such as magnesium, calcium and potassium, improving soil health and reducing the need for fertilizers,” UNDO stated in their blog.
As of now, Canadian Wollastonite is giving away wollastonite for free so farmers can see the benefits for themselves.
“Farmers will be part of the solution,” Vasily said.
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