As climate change continues to wreak havoc, one question on the minds of every environmentally conscious manufacturer is, “How do we address the CO2 emissions from industrial plants while we achieve the road to net zero by 2050?”
Many sectors are seeking solutions and are now looking for advanced carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) systems. These systems go beyond simple sequestration, helping plant developers and carbon-capture facilitators achieve safe decarbonization. At the forefront of assisting them to attain the desired outcomes is CarbonFree, a company effectively bridging the gap between greenhouse gas emissions and safe CCUS.
Since 2016, the company has been running SkyMine, the world’s largest pioneering industrial-scale carbon mineralization facility in Texas. Today, CarbonFree uses its second-generation SkyCycle technology to capture carbon emissions from difficult-to-control industrial sources. Before these emissions enter the atmosphere, SkyCycle converts them into a carbon-neutral form of calcium carbonate. This compound is essential for making paper, plastics, building materials, paint, and personal care products. Enabling harmless utilization and storage of converted CO2, the company’s innovative mechanisms are proven to deliver on-site solutions within hard-to-abate industries.
Central to CarbonFree’s success is its innovative CO2-freezing technology. This technology addresses the current demand for smart CCUS solutions. Using a decentralized model, it collects CO2 from individual industrial plants and converts it into various reusable products, such as precipitated calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. It’s designed to work anywhere, even without special infrastructure.
“The beauty of CO2 freezing technology solutions like SkyCycle is that we can put it anywhere, including places where the infrastructure and geology don’t exist,” says Martin Keighley, CEO at CarbonFree.
SkyCycle’s modular design allows on-site conversion, reuse and storage of CO2 from various industrial sectors with minimal energy use. Its compact infrastructure reduces shipping and installation costs. The resulting products are marketable, adding significant value and making them profitable investments for CarbonFree and its partners.
The beauty of CO2 freezing technology solutions like SkyCycle is that we can put it anywhere, including places where the infrastructure and geology don’t exist
In a market focused on sequestration, CarbonFree stands out with SkyCycle, which promotes safe decarbonization. On-site mineralization eliminates the need for pipelines and disposable wells, making carbon reuse and storage greener. The portable technology allows for quick implementation without relying on local geology. This efficiency helps industrialists reduce operational and shipping costs, making decision-making easier. The optimized carbon-freezing technology is economically beneficial for both plant owners and CarbonFree. The sale of finished products provides a steady revenue stream and funds future projects. This self-sustaining process reduces Scope 3 emissions, fosters long-term industry partnerships, and accelerates progress towards the net-zero goal.
An example of CarbonFree’s excellent partnership is its engagement with U.S. Steel Gary Works, the first commercial CCU project in North America. This partnership aims to make the factory cleaner by reducing carbon emissions and producing reusable calcium carbonate. The goal is to cut the factory’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030. The complete process is set to collect and mineralize 50,000 metric tons of CO2 from the steel mill every year. Through large-scale specialty chemical manufacturing with carbon as the primary raw material, this plan is a win-win for both collaborators.
With support from partners and investors, CarbonFree plans to develop compatible decarbonization technologies and expand into other industries, such as incineration plants. By improving its technology, the company is moving closer to its net-zero goal by 2050. Through various trials and successes, CarbonFree has created a self-sustaining business cycle that offers valuable solutions to carbon-intensive industries. The company is committed to promoting an eco-friendly economic evolution by fostering a sustainable and profitable future.
