Sirona Launches Project Moringa CO2 Capture in Oman: What It Means for Sustainable Business and Investment Opportunities
Belgian cleantech startup Sirona Technologies has officially commissioned its first Direct Air Capture (DAC) unit as part of Project Moringa, a groundbreaking effort to capture and sequester carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. The project is established at sites in Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Project Moringa utilizes Sirona’s solar-powered DAC technology to capture CO₂, which is then permanently stored through mineralisation in peridotite rock—a type of rock abundant in both Oman and the UAE. This natural mineralisation process safely locks the captured CO₂ into stone, providing a durable solution for carbon storage, according to Sirona’s statement from its Brussels headquarters.
Sirona Technologies described the current site as their most advanced to date, highlighting months of dedicated effort. The project employs solid-sorbent, temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) DAC modules that harness the region’s plentiful solar energy. The captured CO₂ is directed into peridotite formations on-site for permanent and verifiable mineralisation.
The company is now commissioning an initial unit capable of capturing 300 tonnes of CO₂ annually, aiming to validate its technology in real-world conditions. This marks a crucial step toward expanding capacity to 1,800 tonnes per year by 2026. Sirona emphasized that the modular, plug-and-play design of these container-style systems allows for scalable, rapid deployment—ideal for regions like Oman and the UAE with high solar potential and suitable geology.
The selection of Oman for Project Moringa underscores the country’s emerging status as a global leader in permanent CO₂ mineralisation, leveraging its extensive peridotite formations. This aligns with the pioneering work of Omani climate-tech company 44.01, which has already gained international acclaim for its carbon mineralisation pilot projects across Oman and the UAE. 44.01’s approach involves dissolving CO₂ in water and injecting it into peridotite rock, where it mineralises into stable carbonate compounds. This process generates carbon credits and contributes to sustainable decarbonisation.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS), alongside other innovations, forms a key part of Oman’s strategy to achieve Net Zero emissions. The Ministry of Energy and Minerals is actively advancing regulations and policies for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), as well as Blue Hydrogen, in collaboration with industry stakeholders.
Project Moringa represents a significant milestone in demonstrating the scalability and impact of clean technology solutions in the Middle East’s climate action landscape.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The commissioning of Sirona Technologies’ Direct Air Capture unit under Project Moringa positions Oman as a strategic hub for scalable, solar-powered carbon capture and permanent CO₂ storage, leveraging abundant peridotite formations. For businesses, this signals emerging opportunities in climate-tech innovation and carbon credit markets, while smart investors should monitor regulatory developments in CCUS and Blue Hydrogen to capitalize on Oman’s accelerating Net Zero initiatives. However, this also calls for vigilance on technological scalability and policy frameworks to mitigate execution risks.
