April 19, 2025
Tech News
Occidental has acquired the carbon removal startup Holocene through its subsidiary, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures. This strategic move marks Occidental’s second purchase of a direct air capture startup in two years, highlighting its commitment to carbon capture technology. Although the purchase price remains undisclosed, Holocene’s innovative amino acid-based approach to carbon removal is expected to enhance Occidental’s efforts in this field.
Holocene recently secured a $10 million agreement with Google to remove 100,000 metric tons of carbon by the early 2030s. This agreement signifies Holocene’s competitive pricing at $100 per metric ton, compared to the current market rate of approximately $600. This development is pivotal, especially as Occidental aims to leverage Holocene’s technology to improve its direct air capture research, which is eligible for tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act.
In the world of entertainment technology, Lucasfilm has announced a new Star Wars film, Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, which is set to premiere on May 28, 2027. Directed by Shawn Levy, known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, this standalone movie will take audiences on a fresh adventure, set five years after The Rise of Skywalker.
As the Star Wars franchise has faced challenges in bringing new projects to theaters since 2019, this announcement has generated excitement. Production is slated to commence this fall, with additional projects still in development under notable directors like Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Taika Waititi. Before Starfighter’s debut, fans can look forward to the Mandalorian spinoff, The Mandalorian & Grogu, arriving in theaters on May 22, 2026.
Tech Explained
Carbon Capture – Carbon capture refers to a technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing CO2 from entering the atmosphere. This is essential for mitigating climate change, as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Direct Air Capture – Direct air capture (DAC) is a technological process that extracts carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. These systems typically use chemical reactions to capture CO2, which can then be stored or utilized, thus playing a critical role in carbon removal strategies.
Enhanced Oil Recovery – Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a technique that increases the amount of crude oil that can be extracted from an oil reservoir. This is achieved using methods such as injecting steam, CO2, or other substances to force oil to flow more freely to the extraction site, which is integral to Occidental’s carbon capture strategy.
Inflation Reduction Act – The Inflation Reduction Act is a significant piece of legislation in the U.S. aimed at reducing inflation through various provisions, including tax incentives for renewable energy technologies. This act provides monetary benefits for companies that implement environmentally friendly practices, encouraging innovations like carbon capture.
Amino Acids – Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins, crucial for a wide array of biological functions. In the context of Holocene’s technology, specific amino acids are utilized to capture carbon dioxide, potentially offering a more sustainable method for carbon removal compared to traditional methods.
