# Advancements in direct air capture and CO2 conversion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-direct-air-capture-and-co2-conversion > Updated: 2026-09-07T09:00:45.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Developments in carbon capture and conversion technologies have been reported through both industrial demonstrations and academic research. In Japan, Aircapture Inc. and NGK Corporation initiated a joint direct air capture (DAC) demonstration project at the AIZAWA Concrete Corporation Fukushima RDM Center. This collaboration utilizes Aircapture’s modular systems and NGK’s ceramic substrate technology to evaluate system performance, reliability, and durability in a commercial environment. The partners are also investigating CO2 utilization pathways, such as concrete mineralization. Concurrently, researchers are advancing CO2 management through new catalytic and membrane methods. At Tohoku University, a team developed a copper phthalocyanine catalyst capable of converting CO2 directly into methane with a 79.5% Faradaic efficiency. In a separate effort, a collaboration between the University of Zaragoza, the Institute of Nanotechnology and Materials of Aragon, and the University of Manchester produced ultra-thin membranes. These membranes combine polymers with metal-organic frameworks to facilitate the separation of CO2 from ambient air. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: New technologies advance CO2 conversion and direct air capture Scientists have developed new technologies to combat CO2: a Japanese catalyst that converts CO2 into methane with 79.5% efficiency and Spanish-led ultra-thin membranes for direct air capture. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-technologies-advance-co2-conversion-and-direct-air-capture ### 2026-08-25: Aircapture and NGK launch direct air capture demonstration in Japan Aircapture Inc. and NGK Corporation have begun a joint direct air capture demonstration project at AIZAWA Concrete in Japan to test CO2 capture performance and durability in a commercial environment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aircapture-and-ngk-launch-direct-air-capture-demonstration-in-japan --- Cite as: Advancements in direct air capture and CO2 conversion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-direct-air-capture-and-co2-conversion