Cheap and simple!

One ton of olivine captures 1.25 ton of CO₂. The reduction of CO₂ in the atmosphere is an important political objective internationally. All over the world governments, scientists and industry are searching for solutions. World conferences are devoted to the subject: Kyoto, Rio de Janeiro, Bali, Copenhagen and Cancun. There are continuous arguments over national economic interests, and the possible solutions are expensive.

The Olivine Foundation has the solution. It advocates a relatively inexpensive approach copied from nature. If the mineral olivine comes into contact with water, air and warmth a geo-chemical conversion takes place during which CO₂ is absorbed from the air. This has been happening for millions of years. Now that we have disturbed the natural CO₂ balance we need to give nature a hand. By taking olivine out of the ground, crushing, grinding and spreading it out at the right place.

Olivine :

A mineral found nearly everywhere in abundance
The most important component of the earth’s crust
Reacts with acids, including CO₂
Has properties similar to sand
Often olive green, sometimes reddish
Easy to mine, even in open cast mines

Playfully saving the world

Two birds with one (olivine) stone

Use olivine as a replacement for sand. Olivine has many of the properties of sand. This opens a world of opportunities: capture CO₂ in the sandpit, on the tennis court and sports field, along the motorway and dikes, and so on.

Olivine keeps you warm

The reaction of olivine with water and CO₂ is exothermic. Under the right conditions this heat can be used to produce electricity.

A better environment begins at home (and at work)

The high CO₂ levels in public buildings can cause ‘sick building syndrome’. By circulating the air through vessels containing an olivine slurry the CO₂ level can be reduced.

Don’t get left with the rest

Water rich in magnesium & bicarbonates is healthy, according to a report of the World Food Organisation. It helps prevent diabetes and heart & artery problems.

That’s fortunate: that water is a by-product of the olivine reaction.

Food enricher

Crushed minerals can be used to enrich the soil. Also olivine. It helps to reduce the pH (acid content) and to improve the soil structure. This is beneficial for the growth of plants that take up magnesium. Which is usually an advantage when they are consumed.

More birds with one (olivine) stone

Olivine and water combine well. Hence, olivine can be used as a sand-replacer on eroding beaches. It can also be used on the seabed for creating artificial reefs, and as a nursery bed for mussels, oysters & coral. And as the top layer of dikes, dams and breakwaters.

De chemical formula

Olivine, water and CO₂ form harmless products: magnesium, bicarbonate and sand.

Mg₂SiO₄ (olivine) + 2 CO₂ + H₂O → 2 Mg₂⁺ + 4 HCO₃^- + H₄SiO₄

Olivine is gaining ground

A wide variety of companies are adopting the approach and studying the possible applications. They are busy, among other things, with the production, application and distribution of:

Artificial fertilizer
Roofing material
Garden earth improvers
Railway maintenance material
Road construction material

The government and policy makers, for inexplicable reasons, keep on delaying any decision. But the public authorities involved in implementation see the possibilities.

‘Rijkswaterstaat’ (Infrastructure authority) are carrying out a trial with motorway surfacing and are starting experiments in a seawater environment.

‘Waterschappen’ (Regional water control authorities) have begun to use olivine for waste water treatment.

Chances for olivine

Applicable worldwide on a large scale
No complex and expensive technology required
Creates income and employment in developing countries
Usable via a variety of processes and methods