Sirona Technologies and Cella launch Project Jacaranda: Pioneering Direct Air Capture and Carbon Mineralization in Kenya

February 11, 2025 – Sirona Technologies and Cella proudly unveil Project Jacaranda, an innovative pilot facility located in Kenya’s iconic Great Rift Valley at Lake Elementaita. By integrating solar energy, Direct Air Capture (DAC), and advanced carbon mineralization, this project captures CO₂ from the air and permanently stores it underground. This launch not only marks the fastest DAC pilot deployment in the world but also positions Kenya as a leader in next-generation carbon removal technology.
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Reversing climate change using Direct Air Capture and CO2 mineralization

Direct Air Capture has evolved from a theoretical solution into a vital component of global climate strategy. By capturing and mineralizing CO₂, DAC addresses both ongoing emissions and historical atmospheric buildup. The process involves filtering vast volumes of air, capturing CO₂, and injecting it into geological formations where it transforms into stable rock over time. Recognized for its scalability, permanence, and verifiability, DAC with carbon mineralization sets the highest standard for carbon removal.

Speed and Scale: Sirona Technologies’ approach to climate change

Founded on the belief that speed and scalability are essential to combat the climate crisis, Sirona Technologies has developed five generations of DAC machines in just two years—a pace inspired by the rapid iteration culture of Tesla. With Project Jacaranda, Sirona demonstrates its modular strategy: DAC units are built on an assembly line, integrated into plug-and-play shipping containers, and deployed rapidly to meet growing global demand.

Cella leverages Kenya’s unique geology for permanent CO₂ storage

The volcanic rock formations of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley offer an ideal setting for in-situ carbon mineralization. By injecting captured CO₂ into basalt, natural chemical reactions quickly convert it into rock, ensuring a permanent solution. This pilot project harnesses Kenya’s rich geological and renewable energy assets, setting the stage for a transformative ecosystem in carbon removal and storage.

Driving green growth in Africa through renewable energy demand

Kenya’s abundant geothermal and solar resources, combined with vast basalt formations, create a unique opportunity. Project Jacaranda not only accelerates large-scale carbon removal but also stimulates local industrial demand for renewable energy. By tapping into the country’s geothermal electricity and waste heat, the carbon removal industry will spur investment in clean energy infrastructure—fueling economic growth while advancing global decarbonization.

Thoralf Gutierrez, CEO of Sirona Technologies:

“Project Jacaranda is a historic milestone in Direct Air Capture and carbon mineralization. Deploying this technology at unprecedented speed in a region rich in renewable energy and geological potential demonstrates that DAC can scale globally. Our collaboration with EDF and Cella underscores the transformative power of partnerships in the fight against climate change.”

Corey Pattison, CEO of Cella:

“Kenya’s geothermal resources present an extraordinary opportunity to power the future of carbon removal. By creating a new industrial market for renewable energy and geothermal waste heat, our project not only reinforces Kenya’s energy sector but also paves the way for large-scale CO₂ removal and permanent storage. This is a blueprint for how climate innovation can drive both local economic benefits and global decarbonization.”

About Sirona Technologies

Founded in 2023, Sirona Technologies is a climate tech startup pioneering the rapid deployment of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Led by a former Tesla engineer, Sirona applies proven engineering principles to achieve unmatched speed and scalability in the DAC industry. The company is the fastest to deploy a pilot plant on-site, demonstrating its ability to scale carbon removal rapidly.

Sirona sells high-quality carbon credits and has secured purchases from leading buyers, including Shopify. The company’s first facility is located in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, a prime location for large-scale carbon removal and permanent CO₂ storage. Sirona leverages supply chains from some of the world’s largest chemical suppliers to accelerate deployment.

With a relentless focus on execution, Sirona is scaling Direct Air Capture faster than ever to help drive the transition to a net-zero future.

To learn more, visit https://sirona.tech

About Cella

Cella is on a mission to revolutionize carbon storage by turning CO₂ emissions into stable minerals underground - permanently. Their technology stores captured carbon dioxide in volcanic rocks, where natural chemical reactions rapidly transform it into solid minerals, ensuring safe and permanent removal from the atmosphere. Compared to conventional geologic carbon storage methods, Cella enhances safety and lowers costs by minimizing the risks of leakage.

Backed by leading venture investors in climate technology, they provide the most permanent, highly verifiable, and cost-effective carbon storage solution to customers with captured CO₂. Our end-to-end services include feasibility assessments, CO₂ injection, and real-time monitoring to ensure seamless project execution. Cella’s team comprises industry-leading scientific and operational expertise, and their advisors have pioneered the field of carbon mineralization in basalt, with over 70 years of combined scientific innovations.

To learn more, visit https://cellamineralstorage.com

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