Building on the strategic partnership announced last year, Holcim UAE and carbon storage innovator 44.01 have achieved a milestone in industrial decarbonization with the UAE’s first continuous, live-condition carbon capture and underground mineralization pilot for the cement industry now fully operational in Fujairah.
Following its official Commissioning Day, the facility has been fully operational since 15 July, capturing carbon dioxide directly from the flue gas of Holcim’s Fujairah Cement Plant, designed to capture 4 to 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide daily.
Mineralization site
The captured CO₂ is transported to 44.01’s mineralization site, where it is injected deep underground into Fujairah’s naturally occurring ultramafic rock formations, undergoing mineralization into solid carbonate rock through an accelerated natural process that provides a permanent, local carbon storage solution.
“Through our active carbon capture and mineralization efforts, we are permanently storing carbon and creating in-country value, sustainability, and circularity into the foundation of the built environment. Deep cross-industry partnerships remain vital to accelerating the UAE’s 2050 Net Zero target,” commented Ali Said, CEO, Holcim UAE & Oman.
Over the next six months, the pilot will continue generating critical operational insights to validate the scalability and commercial potential of permanent carbon storage.
Cross-industry partnerships
Beyond its technological achievement, the project highlights the power of local collaboration and cross-industry partnerships in accelerating the UAE’s decarbonization agenda and supporting its Net Zero 2050 ambitions.
“This Fujairah project demonstrates what 44.01 is building: real projects that deliver safe, permanent CO₂ storage locally. This milestone supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 vision while also establishing a scalable model that can be replicated across diverse industries and geological settings worldwide.” added Talal Hasan, Founder and CEO, 44.01.
The successful operation of the pilot is made possible through strong public-private collaboration, supported by key partners including the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation (FNRC), the Fujairah Environment Authority (FEA), NT Energies and Gulf Cryo, a press statement concluded.
