Climeworks doubles CO2 capture at Iceland facility

Climeworks has announced significant performance breakthroughs at its Mammoth direct air capture (DAC) facility in Iceland. The company reported that it has more than doubled its CO2 capture throughput while simultaneously reducing operating costs per ton by half under real-world conditions.

These advancements were achieved through two primary methods: enhancing the sorbent (the filter material used to capture CO2) and refining the plant's mechanical design and operational processes. The improvements to the sorbent increased its capacity and longevity, while equipment upgrades helped the plant reach its original design run rates more efficiently.

Looking ahead, Climeworks plans to begin testing next-generation DAC technology at the Mammoth site in early 2027. Laboratory results for this upcoming technology have shown a tenfold improvement in sorbent lifetime and a fourfold increase in process densification, which would allow for greater carbon removal with fewer physical units.