Molly Rizkallah turns carbon into Ohio's competitive edge
Cincy Carbon CEO Molly Rizkallah uses electrochemical tech to convert CO2 into industrial chemicals, turning emissions into assets. Her work offers a practical path for Ohio manufacturers to decarbonize and meet environmental standards without disrupting legacy operations.
Most CEOs talk about fighting climate change. Molly Rizkallah is making it profitable.
As CEO and co-founder of Cincy Carbon, Rizkallah leads a green chemistry startup that's flipping the script on carbon dioxide, transforming it from industrial liability into economic asset. Using electrochemical technology, her team converts CO₂ and water into the same chemicals manufacturers already depend on, but with a dramatically lower carbon footprint. It's a supplier swap that decarbonizes without disruption, and it's being built right here in Ohio.
Rizkallah's approach reflects her dual background in engineering and business: pragmatic innovation that solves real problems at scale. Recognized by Forbes and a frequent speaker at conferences and universities, she recently published The Business Success Workbook, channeling her passion for helping others achieve their business goals. But her primary focus remains at the center: turning excess CO₂ into something valuable, breaking the fossil fuel cycle one chemical at a time.
The impact extends beyond her company. By positioning Cincy Carbon as a global leader in carbon conversion technology, Rizkallah is creating a blueprint for how industrial regions can compete in a decarbonizing world. Her solution gives Ohio manufacturers a practical path forward: keep operations local, meet tightening environmental requirements, and turn carbon capture into competitive advantage.
Molly's vision for Ohio
Rizkallah sees Ohio in 2050 as a clean manufacturing powerhouse where carbon conversion technologies are standard across major industries. Factories don't just emit less — they actively reuse CO₂ as feedstock for chemicals, fuels, and materials. The state becomes known for closing the loop on carbon, where research universities and community colleges feed a workforce fluent in electrochemistry, advanced materials, and sustainable manufacturing.
It's a future where Ohio's industrial backbone becomes the foundation of its next chapter, where economic benefits stay local, and where revitalized industrial corridors prove that legacy strength and climate innovation aren't opposing forces, they're complementary.
Picturing Ohio's moonshot opportunity
Rizkallah's boldest idea: Ohio Carbon Valley — the first statewide supercluster dedicated to turning carbon emissions into economic engines. Picture a network linking manufacturers, utilities, logistics hubs, universities, and startups into one integrated system where carbon isn't emitted but harvested, traded, and transformed. Steel plants, chemical producers, food processors, and energy facilities all feeding into a statewide marketplace for CO₂-derived materials.
Massive public-private manufacturing zones where startups pilot and scale hardware with real customers. Instead of following Silicon Valley or Boston, Ohio would define an entirely new category: industrial climate-tech, where manufacturing strength meets breakthrough science.
At Cincy Carbon, Rizkallah is actively seeking partners to accelerate this work — from development collaborators to manufacturing allies to companies interested in purchasing CO₂-free chemicals. For those building toward a low-carbon future, the invitation is clear: help make Ohio the place where carbon circularity becomes reality.
This profile is part of the OhioX and Ohio Tech News Next25, a series highlighting the leaders, 35 and under, driving the state's innovation economy. From responsible AI to medtech breakthroughs, discover the full class of 2025. Meet the Next25.
