Verde AgriTech Advances Into Phase 2 of Musk-Backed $100M XPRIZE Carbon Removal Challenge

SINGAPORE, Oct. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verde AgriTech Ltd (TSX: “NPK”) ("Verde” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has successfully advanced to Phase 2 of the largest incentive prize in history, XPRIZE "$100M Carbon Removal" Challenge (the “Challenge”). This challenge seeks innovative solutions to extract and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, fighting climate change and rebalancing Earth’s carbon cycle.

Verde has delivered an ambitious proposal to develop one of the world’s largest carbon capture projects through Enhanced Rock Weathering (“ERW”) - a natural weathering process that involves the sequestration of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) from the atmosphere by crushing and spreading reactive rock material on land.

Verde has developed partnerships with British universities, leaders in Soil Science1, that have proven Verde’s K Forte® and Super Greensand® (“Products”) have the potential to capture CO2 from the atmosphere through ERW. As detailed by an independent study conducted at Newcastle University under the leadership of Prof. David Manning, PhD, a renowned soil scientist, the carbon dioxide capture properties of the Products are estimated at 120kg per tonne.

The Company has combined measured and indicated mineral resources of 1.47 billion tonnes at 9.28% K2O and an inferred mineral resource of 1.85 billion tonnes at 8.60% K2O, compliant with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101.2 Its total 3.32 billion tonnes of resources put Verde in a unique position of potential scalability to sequester up to 0.40 gigatons of CO2.

XPRIZE is known for its global competitions that drive radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. Backed by Elon Musk and the Musk Foundation, XPRIZE launched the Challenge to inspire and help scale efficient solutions to combat climate change, restoring the Earth's carbon cycle. The Challenge seeks innovative methods to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or ocean and lock it away permanently in an environmentally benign way.

The competition has drawn attention from around the world, with numerous companies vying for the opportunity to showcase their carbon removal solutions. Verde's selection to Phase 2 stands as a testament to its innovative approach, commitment to sustainability and potential to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable future through its carbon capture technology.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by XPRIZE for our pioneering efforts in carbon removal. It is not just a recognition of our diligent efforts, but also emphasizes the transformative potential of our technology to create a profoundly positive effect on our planet. We have an established annual production capacity of 3.00 million tonnes, and with this, Verde has the potential to capture up to 0.36 million tonnes of CO2 annually. We are confident that Verde is an outstanding candidate within the XPRIZE Carbon Removal Challenge, not only to our innovative solution, but for the potential of massive scalability”, stated Cristiano Veloso, Verde’s Founder and CEO.

About XPRIZE Carbon Removal

XPRIZE Carbon Removal is aimed at tackling the biggest threat facing humanity - fighting climate change and rebalancing Earth’s carbon cycle. Funded by Elon Musk and the Musk Foundation, this $100M competition is the largest incentive prize in history.‎

The climate math is becoming clear that we will need gigaton-scale carbon removal in the coming decades to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates the need at approximately 10 gigatonnes of net CO2 removal per year by the year 2050 in order to keep global temperature rise under 1.5 or 2C. As governments, companies, investors, and entrepreneurs make plans to meet this challenge, it is clear that we will need a range of carbon removal solutions to be proven through demonstration and deployment to complement work that is already underway. If humanity continues on a business-as-usual path, the global average temperature could increase 6˚(C) by the year 2100.

For further information see: https://www.xprize.org/prizes/carbonremoval

About Verde AgriTech

Verde is an agricultural technology company that produces potash fertilizers. Its purpose is to improve the health of all people and the planet. Rooting our solutions in nature, it makes agriculture healthier, more productive, and profitable.

Verde is a fully integrated Company: it mines and processes its main feedstock from its 100% owned mineral properties, then sells and distributes the Product.

Verde’s focus on research and development has resulted in one patent and eight patents pending. Among its proprietary technologies are Cambridge Tech, 3D Alliance, MicroS Technology, N Keeper, and Bio Revolution.3 Currently, the Company is fully licensed to produce up to 2.8 million tonnes per year of its multinutrient potassium fertilizers K Forte® and BAKS®, sold internationally as Super Greensand®. In 2022, it became Brazil's largest potash producer by capacity.4 Verde has a combined measured and indicated mineral resource of 1.47 billion tonnes at 9.28% K2O and an inferred mineral resource of 1.85 billion tonnes at 8.60% K2O (using a 7.5% K2O cut-off grade).5 This amounts to 295.70 million tonnes of potash in K2O. For context, in 2021 Brazil’s total consumption of potash in K2O was 6.57 million6.

Brazil ranks second in global potash demand and is its single largest importer, currently depending on external sources for over 97% of its potash needs. In 2022, potash accounted for approximately 3% of all Brazilian imports by dollar value.7

>> RELATED: Dr. Don Fosnacht Joins Verde as National Certification & Biochar Carbon Removal Specialist

Corporate Presentation

For further information on the Company, please view shareholders’ deck:https://verde.docsend.com/view/mjxisb9by2xbt5y2