Latest news with #carbonCapture
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
European Patent Office (EPO): Neeka and Leila Mashouf win the Nature Guardians prize at the Young Inventors Prize 2025 for turning CO₂ into essential materials
28-year-old American scientists recognised for converting industrial CO₂ emissions into biodegradable cellulose Their innovation offers a scalable, low-carbon alternative to textile production The European Patent Office is awarding them EUR 20 000 for advancing sustainable material manufacturing MUNICH and REYKJAVÍK, Iceland, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- During a ceremony held today in Iceland, the European Patent Office (EPO) awarded the twin American sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf (28) the Nature Guardians prize for their invention, developed through their company Rubi Laboratories. Their breakthrough innovation mimics the way trees absorb carbon dioxide using enzymes to convert industrial CO₂ emissions into biodegradable cellulose that can be spun into sustainable textiles and other products. The Nature Guardians prize recognises initiatives dedicated to protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, addressing climate change, ocean health and wildlife conservation. Their work helps prevent environmental damage and restore natural balance. As this year's recipients of the Nature Guardians Prize, the Mashouf sisters received in total EUR 20 000 (EUR 5 000 awarded to each Tomorrow Shaper and an additional EUR 15 000 in recognition of this special prize). "Additional recognition from the European Patent Office propels Rubi's mission forward, as we pioneer the next era of energy-efficient manufacturing by transforming carbon into essential materials," said Neeka Mashouf, co-founder and CEO at Rubi. "A better world, where manufacturing exists in harmony with the planet, continues to serve as our North Star as we reach new milestones and make strides in commercializing our technology." The American inventors were selected by an independent jury as one of the ten winners of the Young Inventors Prize 2025, chosen from over 450 candidates worldwide. This prize celebrates innovators aged 30 and under, known as Tomorrow Shapers. From this group, three were awarded special prizes: World Builders, awarded to the French-American Marie Perrin, for promoting sustainable access to essential resources like water, energy and sustainable infrastructure; Community Healers, awarded to the Ugandan team of Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita for developing solutions for food security, education, healthcare and fair working conditions; Nature Guardians, awarded to the American team. Reducing emissions through textile innovation The global textile industry is one of the most environmentally damaging supply chains, contributing up to 8% of global CO₂ emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In response to the sector's high environmental cost, the Mashoufs developed a novel carbon conversion process that avoids the energy demands and sugar-based inputs typical of many existing technologies. Operating outside living cells in a controlled reactor, their system uses enzymes to turn captured CO₂ into cellulose pulp – the basis for biodegradable fibres. The sisters claim this method consumes ten times less energy than thermochemical alternatives and reintegrates carbon into the natural cycle. "It took countless trials, errors, and optimisations to make it all work, from producing enzymes that had never been made before to testing them in conditions no one had ever explored," said Neeka. Shaped by science, inspired by nature Neeka and Leila Mashouf were driven by a desire to tackle the environmental impact of the fashion industry. In 2021, they founded Rubi Laboratories to turn industrial CO₂ emissions into textiles using a nature-inspired enzymatic process. The company is now focused on scaling the technology and expanding its applications, with CO₂-derived cellulose already being piloted by Walmart, Patagonia and H&M. "Our focus is now on engineering and execution. It's exciting to be at the point where we can concentrate on scaling the system and bringing everything to the next level," said Neeka. Their team now includes 17 scientists and engineers specialising in enzymology, chemical engineering and carbon capture. "These skills hadn't really been combined before. It's an ongoing challenge to find the right people, which is why we always search globally—because this work requires something truly unique," she added. The Young Inventors Prize celebrates worldwide innovators 30 and under using technology to address global challenges posed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By turning waste carbon into a valuable resource, the Mashouf sisters are directly contributing to UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The winners of the 2025 edition were announced today during a ceremony livestreamed from Iceland. Find more information about the invention's impact, the technology and the inventor's story here. About the Young Inventors Prize Aimed at individuals 30 and under, the Young Inventors Prize showcases the transformative power of youth-driven solutions and recognises the remarkable young people paving the way to a more sustainable future. Established in 2022, trophies were first handed out during the European Inventor Award ceremony. As of 2025, the Prize has moved up a gear with its own dedicated event, held separately from the Award. Among the 10 Tomorrow Shapers selected for each edition, three receive special prizes: World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians. In addition, a People's Choice winner is selected through an online public vote. Each Tomorrow Shaper receives EUR 5 000, while the three special prize winners are awarded an additional EUR 15 000. The People's Choice winner also receives an extra EUR 5 000. Read more on the Young Inventors Prize eligibility and selection criteria. About the EPO With 6,300 staff members, the European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe. Headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin, Brussels, The Hague and Vienna, the EPO was founded with the aim of strengthening co-operation on patents in Europe. Through the EPO's centralised patent granting procedure, inventors are able to obtain high-quality patent protection in up to 46 countries, covering a market of some 700 million people. The EPO is also the world's leading authority in patent information and patent searching. *Important noteB-roll materials of the inventors/invention herePicture materials of the inventors/invention here Additional videos and photos from the ceremony will be available shortlyFull ceremony video available upon request View original content: SOURCE European Patent Office (EPO) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Science
- RNZ News
Scientists may have found a big, mysterious carbon sink in the South Island
Fiordland forest. Photo: Supplied / James Williams, NIWA Scientists may have found a big, mysterious carbon sink in the South Island. But they caution more work is needed to solve the puzzle before New Zealand could claim the discovery as a climate win. NIWA scientists have suggested the reason might be that native forests in the South Island are capturing much more carbon than previously thought, which could pave the way for New Zealand to use pest control and other conservation efforts to boost forest health and help meet the country's climate targets. The study leader, NIWA atmospheric scientist Beata Bukosa, said researchers first need to resolve the mystery of where tens of millions of tonnes of seemingly disappearing carbon dioxide are going to. The carbon sink was found over parts of the south west South Island dominated by mature native forests, including Fiordland. "The next thing we have to do is really identify the exact process responsible for this carbon uptake and figure out where the carbon goes," Bukosa said. "At the moment, with our methods we can see the signal that the carbon is basically disappearing in that region but we can't identify where exactly that carbon goes and what is happening after it disappears." The study uses a different technique from the official estimates used in New Zealand's official greenhouse gas inventory. The official inventory uses a variety of methods, including so-called "ground up" estimates of natural carbon storage based on real measurements of trees growing in our native forests. For the latest study, scientists from several universities and research institutes analysed carbon dioxide measurements taken between 2011 and 2020 from Wellington's Baring Head and Lauder research station in Central Otago and used modelling to work out how that carbon dioxide was being transported. Beata Bukosa. Photo: Supplied / Lana Young They found much more carbon was disappearing than other methods had suggested -- around 50-140 million tonnes a year more than the previous estimates, or between one and three years' worth of all New Zealand's carbon dioxide emissions from human activities. Bukosa said they expected to get different results from using different methods, but the differences they found were bigger than could be explained by varying calculation methods. "You would expect some difference just from the way the methods there was still a stronger [carbon] sink in our estimates," she said. "Earlier estimates of how much carbon was removed by New Zealand land ecosystems ranged from a net 24 to 118 million tonnes a year. "Our research found that New Zealand's natural environment absorbed approximately 171 million tonnes of CO2 annually." As for what was behind the difference, she said the south west South Island location suggested it could be native forests but it could also be something less beneficial to nature and the climate, such as rain or landslides carrying soil - and the carbon it contains - down rivers and away from New Zealand, to be released somewhere else. "That's the crucial question we are trying to answer at the moment," said Bukosa. "The region where we found the biggest difference and the strongest sink is around Fiordland and the southwest coast of the South Island and these are also regions where we have quite a bit of erosion, which could lead to frequent landslides which transports carbon. "The forest might be behaving differently due to climate change, or even regenerating due to pest control. We need to add up all the numbers and see how it is contributing." If native forests are capturing much more carbon than previously thought, it could pave the way for New Zealand to use pest control and other conservation efforts to help meet its climate targets and boost the health of native species. Separate studies are tracking the impacts of pest control on boosting carbon storage in native forests in the South island and the East Coast of the North Island. "Depending what the answer is, that could open up new doors on how to mitigate climate change and potentially reduce our reliance in international carbon credits," Bukosa said. The research grew from a 2017 pilot study suggesting native forests in Fiordland and other parts of southwest New Zealand might be sequestering up to 60 per cent more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than expected. Bukosa said the latest study extended the period analysed from three to 10 years and improved the atmospheric modelling used. "The results basically confirmed what we saw in 2017 as well, which is that it seems like there is more carbon dioxide being absorbed across New Zealand relative to what we thought before." Previous estimates used by the Ministry for the Environment and others to create the country's official greenhouse gas estimates say native forests are overall almost carbon neutral - releasing about as much carbon overall as they absorb. But those figures are uncertain, with some forests losing carbon and some forests gaining. Bukosa said previous studies may have underestimated the amount of carbon taken up by mature indigenous forests. Dr Andrea Brandon of the Ministry for the Environment was also involved in the study. She said the findings "indicate there may be additional carbon uptake somewhere in the system that we are currently not tracking. We need to identify what we are missing so that we can further refine our Inventory methods to capture it." As well as Brandon, the NIWA scientists worked with researchers from GNS Science, Manaaki Whenua, the University of Waikato and overseas as part of a Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment-funded Endeavour programme called CarbonWatch NZ, which ended last year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
OPEC boss slams net-zero targets, promotes big future for oil in Calgary speech
Social Sharing The secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries says the world's thirst for oil will continue for decades to come and investment in the sector is necessary to meet those needs. Haitham al-Ghais made his remarks in a speech to the Global Energy Show in Calgary on Tuesday, at a time when oil prices are sagging and experts predict they could fall further later this year. "Simply put, ladies and gentlemen, there is no peak in oil demand on the horizon. The fact that oil demand keeps rising, hitting new records year on year, is a clear example of what I'm saying," he said in his speech. Primary energy demand is forecast to rise by 24 per cent between now and 2050, he said, surpassing 120 million barrels of oil a day. Currently, oil demand is around 103 million barrels per day. "Meeting this ever-rising demand will only be possible with adequate and timely and necessary investments in the oil industry," he said, pointing to the need for $17.4 trillion US in investment over the next 25 years. Praise for Alberta oil and gas The secretary-general used his speech to compliment Alberta's oil and gas industry for its ability to grow production over the years, its technological improvements, and its role as a leader in developing carbon capture and storage facilities. He concluded his address by stating OPEC takes climate change "very, very seriously," and each of its member countries have signed on to the Paris climate accord. Still, he criticized net-zero targets by companies and countries as "unrealistic," "fixated on deadlines" and "detached from reality." Instead, he said the world should be focused on reducing emissions and using all forms of energy to meet the needs of the world's growing population. In 2024, emissions from the energy sector grew by 0.8 per cent compared to 2023, according to the International Energy Agency, while the global economy expanded by more than three per cent. In Canada, the federal government is already on pace to miss its 2030 target to cut carbon emissions by at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Challenging times The speech comes at a time when the oilpatch is confronting weak commodity prices and many companies are pulling back on investment. OPEC countries are producing more this year, along with more output from Canada, the U.S. and Guyana. Last month, the Vienna-based cartel agreed to raise output by 411,000 barrels a day in June, speeding up the gradual return of 2.2 million barrels a day. For context, Canada produces about five million barrels per day in total. At the same time, global consumption of oil is not rising as initially expected because of slowing global trade. "Demand is not falling, but we are in a period where demand growth is weak. In fact, if you take out the COVID year of 2020, the global financial crisis of '08-'09, this looks like it could be the weakest year of growth since 2001," said Jim Burkhard, global head of crude oil research with S&P Global Commodity Insights, in an interview with CBC News. Big drop forecasted North American oil prices are averaging about $65 US per barrel in recent days, but S&P's latest oil forecast released this week anticipates prices could fall into the high-$40s per barrel later this year. "We could see a significant difference in price by the end of the year compared with where we are right now. A lot depends on the economy, of course, and the concern about tariffs and OPEC+ can alter their decisions at any time. But right now, on current trends, it looks like there's going to be a lot more supply relative to demand later this year," he said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Baker Hughes to Supply NovaLT™ Gas Turbines for Frontier Infrastructure's U.S. Data Center Project, Delivering 270 MW of Reliable Power
Baker Hughes will supply 16 NovaLT™ gas turbines for data center projects in the U.S. Award builds on the collaboration announced in March 2025 between Baker Hughes and Frontier HOUSTON and LONDON, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR), an energy technology company, announced Wednesday an award from Frontier Infrastructure Holdings ('Frontier'), a Tailwater Capital LLC portfolio company, for 16 NovaLT™ gas turbines to power its data center projects in Wyoming and Texas, delivering up to 270 megawatts (MW) of efficient, reliable power. As part of the award, Baker Hughes is supplying Frontier its NovaLT™ gas turbine technology and associated equipment, including gears and Brush Power Generation four-pole generators, to power dedicated energy islands at Frontier's behind-the-meter (BTM) power generation sites. The order builds on a March 2025 agreement between the two companies to accelerate large-scale carbon capture and storage ('CCS') and power solutions in the U.S., including the Sweetwater Carbon Storage Hub in Wyoming. "This award underscores our commitment to advancing sustainable energy development through reliable and efficient power solutions that cater to the diverse needs of the industry,' said Ganesh Ramaswamy, executive vice president of Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes. 'Leveraging our comprehensive range of integrated power solutions for Frontier's U.S. data center projects demonstrates innovative, scalable and lower-carbon technologies helping to meet the growing demand for power." The NovaLT™ gas turbine is a multi-fuel solution that can start-up and run on different fuels, including natural gas, various blends of natural gas and hydrogen, and 100% hydrogen, providing customers with the flexibility to adapt and meet their specific reliable and sustainable power requirements. With a comprehensive portfolio of diverse, reliable and clean power solutions, including hydrogen-ready turbines, geothermal, and cogeneration, Baker Hughes provides market-ready, efficient and flexible solutions for data center hyperscalers, project developers, packagers and end users. About Baker HughesBaker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at For more information, please contact: Media RelationsChiara Toniato+39 Investor RelationsChase Mulvehill +1 in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Canada's Borna to develop $40mln membrane gas separation factory in Egypt
Arab Finance: Borna Membrane Solutions, a Canadian clean-tech company in membrane gas separation, is planning to establish a factory in Egypt, with total investments of $40 million, the company's CEO Sam Salimi announced. The facility will produce flare gas recovery systems for extraction and exploration, carbon separators, and the reinjection of the resulting gases into the national natural gas grid. During his meeting with Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Salimi rolled out the company's plans in Egypt. The two sides discussed ways to localize the company's technology in Egypt as part of the government's plan to keep pace with global trends to reduce carbon emissions. Borna has extensive expertise in carbon capture and storage (CCS), and the extraction of propane, butane, and methane from the combustion of associated gases from oil extraction operations, and their reinjection into the Egyptian market. Finally, Salimi emphasized that the Canadian government and financing institutions support companies seeking to inject new investments into the Egyptian market. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
