The Companies Leading the Charge in Direct Air Capture

The Race to Capture Carbon

The fight against climate change is pushing companies to develop innovative ways to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air.

Direct Air Capture (DAC) has emerged as a promising solution, with leading firms investing heavily in scalable, efficient carbon removal technologies.

While reducing emissions at the source is still essential, carbon removal is critical for tackling emissions from sectors that are difficult to decarbonize. Companies pioneering DAC technology are working to make carbon removal cost-effective, scalable, and widely available.

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Here’s a look at some of the key players in the DAC industry and how their work is shaping the future of carbon removal.

1. Climeworks: Pioneering Large-Scale Carbon Removal

Climeworks, a Swiss company, is at the forefront of DAC innovation. It developed Orca, the world’s first commercial DAC plant in Iceland, which captures 4,000 tons of CO₂ per year. The company is now working on Mammoth, an even larger facility designed to scale up carbon capture significantly.

Climeworks’ approach uses solid sorbents to capture CO₂ from the air before storing it underground in basalt rock formations. This process mineralizes CO₂, permanently removing it from the atmosphere.

"We're in this position where we have to scale markets and technology at the same time in parallel—and be fast, of course, with both," said Jan Wurzbacher, co-CEO and co-founder of Climeworks.

2. Carbon Engineering: Scaling Up Direct Air Capture

Carbon Engineering, a Canadian company, is focused on scaling DAC technology to industrial levels. Unlike Climeworks, its system uses liquid solvents to capture CO₂, which is then stored underground or converted into low-carbon synthetic fuels.

In partnership with Occidental Petroleum, Carbon Engineering is building a DAC facility in Texas that aims to capture 1 million tons of CO₂ annually. This large-scale project is one of the biggest bets on carbon removal to date.

3. Heirloom: Using Natural Processes to Capture CO₂

Heirloom is taking a different approach by accelerating natural mineralization. Its technology speeds up the process by which minerals absorb CO₂, allowing for carbon removal without excessive energy use.

The company’s system captures CO₂, then re-exposes the minerals to the air, allowing them to absorb even more carbon. This cycle continues indefinitely, making it an efficient, low-cost method of direct air capture.

4. Global Thermostat: Modular and Flexible Carbon Capture

Global Thermostat is developing compact, modular DAC systems that can be integrated into industrial plants, power stations, and even urban areas.

"Its technology uses low-cost heat sources to power the CO₂ capture process, reducing energy demands compared to traditional DAC methods. This scalability and flexibility make Global Thermostat’s solution attractive for businesses looking to lower their carbon footprint,” said Paul Nahi, CEO of Global Thermostat

5. 1PointFive: Commercializing DAC with Large-Scale Projects

1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum, is leading some of the most ambitious DAC projects in the U.S. Partnering with Carbon Engineering, the company is constructing a megaton-scale DAC plant in Texas.

1PointFive aims to offer carbon removal as a service, allowing companies to purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions. This approach helps corporations meet net-zero targets while funding large-scale carbon removal initiatives.

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6. Verdox: Using Electrodialysis for Energy-Efficient Capture

Verdox is developing a unique electrically driven DAC system, which could drastically cut energy costs compared to traditional DAC technologies.

Instead of using heat or high-pressure chemical processes, Verdox’s system leverages electrodialysis to separate and capture CO₂. This method uses significantly less energy, making it a promising alternative for large-scale carbon capture.

7. CarbonCapture Inc.: Modular DAC for Industrial Applications

CarbonCapture Inc. is focused on modular, scalable DAC units that can be deployed in various locations. Its technology uses customizable CO₂ capture modules, allowing companies to tailor solutions to their specific carbon removal needs.

This flexibility makes CarbonCapture Inc. a strong player in the industrial carbon removal sector, particularly for businesses looking to integrate DAC into existing operations.

8. Mission Zero Technologies: Low-Cost Direct Air Capture

Mission Zero Technologies is developing a low-cost, energy-efficient DAC system that aims to be cheaper than conventional methods.

Using an advanced solvent-based process, the company captures CO₂ and prepares it for reuse or storage with minimal energy consumption. Its goal is to make DAC widely accessible to industries and governments alike.

9. Aircapture: Carbon Removal for Industrial and Agricultural Use

Aircapture specializes in on-site carbon capture for industries that need clean CO₂ for manufacturing or agricultural applications.

Instead of focusing solely on storage, Aircapture’s model allows companies to capture CO₂ and repurpose it for synthetic fuels, building materials, and agricultural enhancements. This dual-purpose approach helps companies reduce emissions and create value at the same time.

10. Charm Industrial: Turning CO₂ into Bio-Oil

Charm Industrial is taking an unconventional approach by converting captured CO₂ into bio-oil and storing it underground. This process removes carbon from the atmosphere permanently, preventing it from re-entering the air.

By using plant waste to produce bio-oil, Charm Industrial offers a low-tech but highly effective method of carbon sequestration. The company is already working with corporate partners to provide certified carbon removal services.

The Future of Direct Air Capture

With climate change accelerating, DAC is quickly becoming a critical tool in reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels. Companies like Climeworks, Carbon Engineering, and 1PointFive are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, developing large-scale solutions that could significantly impact global emissions.

However, for DAC to reach its full potential, costs must come down, energy efficiency must improve, and deployment must scale up. As technology advances and demand for carbon removal services grows, these companies are leading the charge toward a more sustainable future.