Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a cutting-edge technology that pulls CO2 directly from the air. Large fans draw in air, and special filters capture the CO2. The captured CO2 is then either stored underground or used in products like building materials.
DAC is unique because it can remove CO2 from any location, making it versatile and effective. Unlike other methods, it doesn’t depend on land or water resources. However, because the concentration of CO2 in the air is very low, a lot of air needs to be processed to remove the CO2, so it's an energy-intensive process and is best used in areas with abundant renewable energy.
By capturing and storing CO2 from the air, DAC projects directly reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. In the future, they could help bring the world beyond carbon neutrality by lowering CO2 concentrations back to pre-industrial levels.
Neocarbon has taken a very smart and original approach to optimize their Direct Air Capture process. By installing their capture modules on existing industrial infrastructure, they can reduce their energy usage significantly by using waste heat from the existing infrastructure.
Neocarbon's first facilities are installed in the North of Germany, where they work together with partners in the construction industry to permanently store the CO2 into concrete.
Neocarbon impacts the following SDG's:
We have to admit, we have a soft spot for cutting-edge carbon removal projects. And Neocarbon's Direct Air Capture (DAC) project is definitely one of the sharpest approaches around.
First, let’s talk quality. DAC is often seen as the crème de la crème of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects. Neocarbon’s tech filters CO2 directly from the air, allowing for very accurate quantification of the removed CO2. This precision is crucial because it means we know exactly how much carbon is being taken out of the atmosphere. For storage, Neocarbon collaborates with concrete companies. By chemically storing CO2 in concrete, they can ensure the carbon stays locked away for millennia, while also reducing the footprint from the construction industry. Talk about a double win!
The downside of DAC is that it’s currently the most expensive type of CDR. This is because the technologies are still quite new and need a lot more development for costs to go down. Another reason for the price is the energy intensity. DAC systems need to process large amounts of air to filter out the CO2, which usually means they have a high energy demand. Neocarbon solves this by piggybacking on existing industrial infrastructure for the waste heat, but there’s still the argument that all (green) energy consumed by DAC could otherwise have been used elsewhere.
All-in-all, Neocarbon's DAC project is a top-notch choice for those who value high tech quality in carbon removal. While it’s an expensive choice, know that you will be removing your carbon emissions and funding climate technology development at the same time. You don’t have to offset your entire footprint with DAC. Every contribution counts.
We understand that you want to know where your money goes, so we're showing you the money.
Neocarbon will remove this CO2 from the air in 2025.
What does this mean?
Verification standard used: Puro.earth - Direct Air Capture
Carbon removal audit performed by: Frauenhofer
Carbon registry: Puro.earth
