Stardust Solutions, a company that has been relatively low-profile, recently began to publicize its activities more actively. In October, it announced a substantial funding round led by prominent investors in climate technology. This development has drawn attention from experts in the field, including those who advocate for geoengineering research.
Concerns have been raised about the involvement of private companies in geoengineering, particularly regarding the potential influence of profit motives on scientific integrity. Leading geoengineering researchers David Keith and Daniele Visioni expressed apprehension that the presence of business interests may complicate dependable scientific work and public confidence in the field.
Stardust has stated that it will not initiate geoengineering projects unless commissioned by government entities and ensured regulatory frameworks are established. However, uncertainties remain about how future financial pressures might impact these commitments.
In practice, Stardust faces challenges typical of private sector innovation, such as the need to maintain trade secrets. Currently, the company is withholding details about the particles it plans to deploy in geoengineering efforts, although it intends to disclose this information once it secures a patent, which it anticipates may happen as soon as next year. The company asserts that its proprietary particles will be safe, cost-effective, and easier to monitor than existing alternatives like sulfur dioxide. Yet, external experts currently lack the ability to assess these claims due to the lack of transparency.
As noted by Keith and Visioni, the efficacy of research is contingent upon trust, which is fundamentally linked to transparency in processes and findings.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/11/1129239/solar-geoengineering-startups-are-getting-serious/