Mati Carbon has a bold ambition: remove 100 million metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2040—while supporting 100 million smallholder farmers across the Global South.
The company just took a major step toward that goal. On April 23, Mati Carbon was awarded the prestigious XPrize Carbon Removal—a $50 million prize recognizing the most scalable carbon removal solutions globally. The announcement, made at the TIME100 Summit, puts Mati’s breakthrough on the global climate innovation map.
What Is Mati Carbon’s Approach?
At the heart of Mati’s solution is a natural but supercharged process known as enhanced rock weathering. “Rock weathering happens on Earth all the time,” says Jake Jordan, Mati’s Chief Science Officer. “We’re just speeding it up in a way that benefits both the climate and farmers.”
The method involves pulverizing volcanic rock and spreading it on farmlands. When the rock interacts with water and atmospheric CO2, it forms bicarbonate—a durable form of carbon stored in soil and water for millennia. As the rocks break down, they also release nutrients, improving soil health and increasing crop yields.
Why It Matters—for the Climate and for Farmers
“This is a double win,” says Mati CEO Shantanu Agarwal. “We remove carbon and enrich the soil for farmers who are among the least responsible for climate change but most affected by it.”
In typical conditions, farms using Mati’s method have seen 20–25% yield increases. In degraded soils, the impact is even more striking—50–70% gains. “That kind of increase can be life-changing,” says Agarwal. “It means paying off debt, investing in irrigation, or finally buying better seeds.”
Scaling the Solution Globally
To meet its goals, Mati is building what it calls “bases”—local hubs serving 5,000 to 10,000 farmers each. Three of these are already fully operational in India. The plan? “We want to replicate this model across the planet,” says Agarwal, with upcoming expansion into Zambia and Tanzania.
The XPrize panel validated Mati’s bases during rigorous onsite assessments, confirming their scalability, cost-effectiveness, and replicability. “We showed them how our standard unit works—and how it can be copied and pasted worldwide,” he adds.
A Unique Model with Global Potential
Mati Carbon stands out not just for its tech but also for its mission-first model. The company is structured as a nonprofit, eschewing traditional venture capital in favor of grants and philanthropy—something that’s limited its growth until now.
“The XPrize gives us the wings to dream,” says Agarwal. “We can now push toward our full mission—helping 100 million farmers and removing 100 million tons of CO2 by 2040.”
The Bigger Picture
As the planet hurtles toward a climate tipping point, Mati’s model offers a rare combination: a scalable, science-backed solution that also builds economic resilience for those most vulnerable to climate change.
“We hope what we’re doing gives people hope,” Agarwal concludes. “Mati proves that it’s possible to build a model that helps the planet, helps people—and competes with the best in the world.”
Categories: Climate, Agriculture, Innovation, Sustainability
Tags: Mati Carbon, XPrize 2025, carbon removal, enhanced rock weathering, smallholder farmers, sustainable farming, India climate innovation, Zambia agriculture, Tanzania environment, Jake Jordan, Shantanu Agarwal
