RCJY and Climeworks Deepen Partnership to Advance Large-scale Direct Air Capture in Saudi Arabia

Key takeaways:

• Under the guidance of the Ministry of Energy, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Climeworks have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand their collaboration on deploying direct air capture in Saudi Arabia, building on feasibility work with the Ministry of Energy and KAPSARC.

• The partners will jointly evaluate next steps toward a direct air capture demonstration plant in Jubail, with a view to future commercial-scale deployment.

• Climeworks’ mobile test facility has delivered strong operating results across multiple Saudi climate conditions, supporting confidence in the technology’s readiness for scale-up.

• The collaboration supports the Kingdom’s carbon management and Net Zero ambitions by moving direct air capture from feasibility studies into early project planning.

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Under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) and Climeworks have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration and explore opportunities for deploying direct air capture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Building on their ongoing cooperation, RCJY and Climeworks will evaluate the next steps towards developing a direct air capture demonstration plant, laying the groundwork for commercial-scale deployment. This includes jointly assessing low-carbon heat and energy sources, evaluating suitable sites, and coordinating with stakeholders on permitting and regulatory requirements. Climeworks and RCJY will also explore pathways to reduce the cost of large‑scale direct air capture, leveraging Climeworks’ next‑generation technology advancements.

Climeworks’ mobile test facility has been operating at the Jubail Industrial College for the past three months and will continue collecting real‑time data that confirms strong performance in the city’s coastal climate. This follows earlier testing in Riyadh, where the technology also performed effectively in arid desert conditions. Together, these successful results across contrasting climate environments demonstrate that direct air capture is well-positioned for large‑scale deployment in the Kingdom.

The two test campaigns form part of a wider feasibility assessment, launched in December 2024 under the Ministry of Energy and conducted with KAPSARC. The study assesses the economic potential of direct air capture and practical pathways to deployment in the Kingdom, helping translate Saudi Arabia’s Net Zero ambitions into concrete project opportunities.

“We are proud to continue our work with RCJY as direct air capture in Saudi Arabia moves from study and testing, towards project development,” said Christoph Gebald, CEO of Climeworks. “We thank the Ministry of Energy and KAPSARC for their continued collaboration and leadership, and RCJY for their partnership in Jubail. Our testing across multiple locations in the Kingdom confirms strong performance across a range of climate conditions. We see significant opportunities in Saudi Arabia and look forward to working with partners here to deploy direct air capture at commercial scale.”

“Climeworks has proven itself as a valuable partner on the ground in Jubail, and we have worked closely together to gather real-time data through its mobile direct air capture test facility,” said Professor Fadye AlFayed, Acting CEO of Jubail and Ras Al-Khair City for Mining Industries. “With the signing of this MoU, we look forward to deepening our collaboration and jointly evaluating the next steps that can lead to the commercial deployment of a direct air capture plant in the Kingdom.”

About Climeworks

Climeworks is a leading high-quality carbon removal provider, combining decades of expertise in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology with holistic carbon removal solutions.

Climeworks offers an end-to-end enterprise service for premium carbon removal. Its tailored portfolios of nature-based and engineered solutions are designed to maximize business value and minimize risks. The company runs the world's first two DAC plants in Iceland, demonstrating its core commitment to high-quality carbon removal that is backed by over 15 years of pioneering research, development, and deployment.

By advancing the most reliable solutions in the market, Climeworks accelerates the global transition to net zero, unlocking economic value for businesses, governments, and society.

About RCJY

The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu was established by a Royal Decree in 1975, with financial and administrative independence, to develop Jubail and Yanbu as integrated industrial cities. Today, the Commission oversees four major industrial cities: Jubail industrial city, Yanbu industrial city, Ras Al Khair City for Mining Industries, and Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, along with two special economic zones in Ras Al Khair and Jazan. These cities offer comprehensive infrastructure, including energy and water networks, logistics hubs, and service facilities, attracting significant domestic and international investment. In 2024, total investments in RCJY cities reached approximately 1,460 billion SAR**.**

The Royal Commission contributes to the objectives of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), one of the Saudi Vision 2030 realization programs, through 38 initiatives aimed at strengthening the industrial base, developing new sectors, and enhancing the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s industrial ecosystem.