Omani startup 44.01 has won the Air category of the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, receiving a $1 million XFACTOR prize for its innovative CO₂ mineralisation project based in Fujairah, UAE. The technology captures carbon directly from the air and stores it underground permanently, preventing its return to the atmosphere.

Chosen from over 1,300 teams worldwide, 44.01 was recognized for offering a safe, scalable, and impactful solution to climate change. Founder Talal Hasan highlighted the project’s potential to create jobs and advance decarbonisation in the Middle East and beyond.

Having already demonstrated success in Oman and the UAE, 44.01 now aims to expand globally, positioning its technology as a key tool for achieving Net Zero goals and decarbonising heavy industries.