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Carbon Markets

Climeworks and Lithos Carbon Partner to Scale Verified ERW Credits

Published by Todd Bush on March 26, 2026

Climeworks and Lithos Carbon have announced a new collaboration to bring verified, durable enhanced rock weathering (ERW) credits to the voluntary carbon market. The partnership deepens a working relationship that dates back to 2023 and marks a meaningful step forward for ERW as a credible, scalable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) pathway.

The two companies aim to expand the CDR market with solutions designed for lasting climate impact, while also advancing the development and scaling of ERW technology. For Climeworks, already the single largest offtaker of ERW credits globally, the deal reinforces its position as a full-spectrum CDR provider. For Lithos Carbon, it's another significant signal of market confidence in a technology it has helped build from the ground up.

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How Lithos Carbon's ERW Process Works

Founded in 2022, Lithos Carbon runs ERW projects across the United States, spreading finely ground basalt rocks on croplands to accelerate natural weathering reactions. The process draws CO2 out of the atmosphere and locks it away for over 1,000 years.

The company sources its basalt material from quarries, applying volcanic rock directly to local farm fields. Lithos uses novel soil models and machine learning to track and maximize removal while improving crop yields and supporting farm economics. Each issued credit is backed by rigorous field sampling and analysis that traces CO2 removal all the way through the thousand-year storage phase.

A Track Record Built on Scale and Science

Lithos Carbon's credibility in this space isn't just theoretical. In 2025, it became the largest ERW developer by issued credits in the market. Toward the end of that year, the company achieved the world's largest ERW delivery to date, issuing 5,160 registry-certified tons of CDR, roughly sevenfold more than any prior ERW credit delivery.

Mary Yap, CEO of Lithos Carbon, has spoken about what drives this work: "By working with American farmers and using locally sourced byproduct rocks, we're not only removing carbon from the atmosphere but also strengthening farm economics and soil health across rural communities at a time when farm margins across the country are under real pressure."

Deepening a Multi-Year Commitment

The new partnership builds on an agreement the two companies first signed in 2023, which committed to the delivery of 3.5 million tons of carbon removal credits over more than a decade. The latest announcement formalizes and expands that collaboration, with a shared focus on enriching the carbon market with scientifically verified, high-integrity ERW credits.

Together, Climeworks and Lithos Carbon plan to support atmospheric CO2 removal through ERW while building climate resilience for farmers and delivering durable carbon credits to corporate buyers.

About Climeworks

Climeworks is a Swiss-based carbon removal company founded in 2009. It offers corporations access to a diversified portfolio of CDR solutions, including direct air capture, BECCS, biochar, and ERW, and has facilitated over 450,000 tons of certified carbon removals to date.

About Lithos Carbon

Lithos Carbon is a U.S.-based CDR company that uses enhanced rock weathering to remove atmospheric CO2 at scale. The company combines machine learning, field measurement, and science-based verification to deliver high-integrity ERW credits while supporting agricultural communities across the country.

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