Cleantech carbon capture: a key technology in the fight against climate change

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🗞️ Driving the news: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is emerging as a cornerstone of cleantech solutions in the climate fight, with companies like Heirloom deploying scalable technologies
• Heirloom’s two new plants in Louisiana will remove up to 320,000 tons of CO₂ annually by accelerating a natural limestone process to just three days
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores the critical role of CCS in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors despite implementation challenges

🔭 The context: Initially conceptualized decades ago, CCS has progressed from theoretical models to operational projects over the past five years, gaining traction amid mounting pressure to decarbonize heavy industries
• The technology captures carbon either directly from ambient air (DAC) or from emissions streams at industrial sites, and stores it underground or integrates it into materials like concrete
• In parallel, cleantech investment in Europe and North America is accelerating, with the Iberian Peninsula alone targeting €150 billion in cleantech investments by 2030

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: CCS can mitigate emissions from sectors that are otherwise difficult to decarbonize, such as steel, cement, and chemicals, helping meet mid-century climate neutrality goals
• As part of a circular economy, captured CO₂ can be repurposed into fuels and materials, further reducing the carbon footprint of industrial supply chains
• However, cost, efficiency, and supportive policy frameworks remain barriers to scaling CCS effectively and equitably

⏭️ What's next: Continued deployment of pilot and commercial-scale CCS projects will depend on government incentives, carbon pricing mechanisms, and clearer regulatory standards
• The next five years will likely see intensified R&D efforts and investments in CCS integration into existing industries
• Policymakers are expected to debate how to balance CCS with renewables and energy efficiency in national climate strategies

💬 One quote: “Carbon capture is moving from an emerging solution to a necessary pillar of climate neutrality, but its success depends on innovation, investment, and strong regulatory support.” — BBVA report

📈 One stat: Heirloom’s Louisiana facilities will remove 320,000 tons of CO₂ per year—roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of 70,000 gasoline-powered cars

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Heirloom and its peers

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