Arrakis Materials is developing an accelerated carbon sequestration process that takes its inspiration from geological processes. Arrakis Materials’ proprietary catalytic process is based on the reaction of CO₂ with olivine—a mineral that is both abundant and inexpensive—enabling permanent CO₂ sequestration in only two days instead of the 2,000 years it typically takes to achieve the same result.
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Ioana Knopf
Ioana Knopf is the founder and CEO of Arrakis Materials, a startup developing technology that permanently sequesters CO₂ by converting it into a mineralized solid. Originally from Romania, Knopf relocated to the United States to pursue her interests in chemistry and environmental science. She earned a Ph.D. in CO₂ utilization and catalysis from MIT and gained five years of experience in startup operations, including transitioning technologies from early-stage research and development to full-scale production.
TECHNOLOGY
Critical Need
As reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, CO₂ removal (CDR) is an essential component in the effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C. However, there is a shortage of technologies that can sequester CO₂ permanently, at scale, and in an economically viable manner. The deployment of CDR will offset emissions generated by carbon-intensive sectors, such as concrete manufacturing, which currently accounts for eight percent of global emissions. Cement and concrete producer organizations such as the Global Cement and Concrete Association have committed to carbon neutrality across their manufacturing value chain by 2050. However, they need access to new technologies to succeed.
Technology Vision
Arrakis Materials is developing a novel carbon sequestration process that takes inspiration from geological processes, which rely on the reaction between CO₂ and olivine, an abundant and low-cost mineral. The company’s proprietary catalytic process enables permanent CO₂ sequestration under mild conditions and takes only two days instead of the natural process that requires up to 2,000 years. The resulting mineral products can be marketed as carbon-negative materials, suitable for various applications. Notably, Arrakis Materias’ products have the potential to be used to manufacture concrete to facilitate the decarbonization of an industry that currently accounts for eight percent of global emissions.
Potential for Impact
Arrakis Materials’ geo-inspired carbon sequestration technology can potentially offset emissions from some of the hardest to decarbonize sectors, such as concrete manufacturing. Additionally, the resulting mineralized products have potential applications as valuable building materials in other construction-related sectors and beyond. As the cost of carbon capture technologies decreases, partnering with direct air capture innovators can offer an avenue toward affordable atmospheric CO₂ removal, which could be used as a means of removing and permanently storing atmospheric carbon at scale.