Italy advances carbon capture through geothermal and direct air technologies

Italy is implementing two distinct carbon capture projects to support industrial needs and reduce emissions. In Piancastagnaio, a facility by Nippon Gases Operations is nearing completion. This plant will recover approximately 100,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from the steam of Enel Green Power’s geothermal plants. The purified and liquefied gas is intended for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, potentially covering 30% of Italy’s national demand for pure CO2. Research from the University of Pisa suggests that geothermal plants do not increase the natural gas emissions of the Amiata volcanic region and may even reduce natural releases through fluid reinjection.

In Cuneo, Michelin Italiana and the startup CarpeCarbon are collaborating to install a Direct Air Capture (DAC) plant at Michelin’s largest Western European tire production site. Expected to be operational in the second half of 2027, the facility will capture up to 300 tonnes of CO2 per year directly from the atmosphere. A portion of the captured gas will be used in Michelin’s industrial processes to replace externally sourced CO2, while the remainder will be managed by CarpeCarbon for permanent storage.