Burying the Problem: Partnership Pathways & Development Strategies for CO2 Mineralization in U.S. Markets Amidst Regulatory Uncertainty

Abstract

Carbon mineralization is one of the most effective methods for permanently sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2). In Iceland and elsewhere, companies like Carbfix are commercializing innovative methods for accelerating natural mineralization processes that store carbon permanently as carbonate in geological basalt and other rock formations. In partnership with Carbfix, this paper describes the development of go-to-market strategies for carbon mineralization in the Midwest, South Central, and Islands regions of the United States. The team presents research completed by five Duke masters students in the spring of 2025 as part of the Fuqua Client Consulting Practicum (FCCP). By leveraging public policy analysis, emissions data, expert interviews, and additional research, the team concludes that despite increasing market and regulatory uncertainty, go-to-market pathways exist in the three regions with the most significant barriers being political and financial, not technical. By sharing the opportunities and challenges for scaling this new technology, the team hopes its research will educate future leaders about the nuances of carbon storage solutions and expedite the development of projects in the United States and around the world.