Discover a cleaner way to capture carbon

Replace chemicals traditionally used for post-combustion carbon capture with biological enzymes to make your carbon capture process more affordable, sustainable and convenient

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Discover a cleaner way to capture carbon

Carbon capture is critical

The global scientific community agrees: the planet cannot avoid being impacted by climate change. But we can counteract the severity of it – if we act immediately.

Reduce industrial emissions

Reach net-zero goals

Reduce global greenhouse gas emissions

Carbon capture technology is crucial to reduce industrial emissions even after renewable energy alternatives are widely adopted. “Reaching net-zero will be virtually impossible without carbon capture, utilization and storage,” says the autonomous International Energy Agency. What’s more, the world must become carbon negative in the latter half of this century, reports the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Carbon capture can achieve an estimated 14% of the global greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed by 2050, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to forge practical solutions to climate change. It’s also considered the only practical way to achieve deep decarbonization in the industrial sector.

Revolutionizing carbon capture with enzymes

As you can see in this Novonesis lab demonstration, carbonic anhydrase captures millions of carbon dioxide molecules every second and turns them into carbonate. The enzyme increases the speed of the reaction and ensures that the captured CO2 does not leave the solution until it is heated. The indicator used in the demo is bromothymol blue.

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The benefits of using enzymatic carbon capture vs. conventional

Compared to traditional post-combustion processes for carbon capture, enzymatic carbon capture extracts CO₂ from flue gas without the creation of degradation products that can harm people and the environment. The powerful enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, enables a more efficient process that yields the same results as the conventional method of carbon capture.

SAIPEM and Novonesis deliver am enzyme-based, cost-effective carbon capture solution

SAIPEM leverages its expertise as a leading EPC provider with advanced CCUS technology and a proven track record in plant construction. Novonesis supports the partnership with a robust global enzyme supply chain, unparalleled R&D capabilities, and world-class enzyme quality for large-scale applications.

Learn more about carbon capture

Affordable carbon capture
The stripping step in the enzymatic carbon capture process requires thermal energy at 80°C; traditional carbon capture requires 120°C. According to a study by SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organizations, using waste heat from a cement plant, for example, can save at least 25% of carbon capture and liquefaction costs.
What’s more, unlike conventional solvents, enzymes are not corrosive. This increases process reliability and means you can use less expensive steel or plastic equipment. Because enzymes tolerate flue gas contaminants, you don’t have the expense of gas pre-treatment either.
Sustainable carbon capture
The enzymatic carbon capture process produces no toxic waste, aerosols or contaminants. Requiring less energy than the conventional process, it is based on nature’s own technique for CO2 regulation. Traditional solvents used for carbon capture are produced from the hazardous chemicals ethylene oxide and ammonia.
Carbon capture that uses only traditional chemicals and energy-intensive processes strains Earth’s resources. Enzymatic carbon capture protects them.
Captured carbon has many uses
What happens to the carbon that is captured? While most in the near future will be safely stored underground in geologic storage facilities, productive new opportunities are constantly emerging. Carbon capture can also be a source of revenue.
For example, captured carbon is being used to:
- Manufacture building materials
- Produce fertilizer with less environmental impact
- Carbonate beer and soft drinks
- Enrich greenhouses
- Support Power-to-X solutions
- Produce methanol