Saudi Aramco has recently launched its first direct air capture (DAC) test unit in the Kingdom. This move marks a key development in the company’s strategy to reduce emissions and improve carbon capture technology. The unit can remove 12 tones of carbon dioxide from the air annually.
In collaboration with Siemens Energy, Aramco has built the pilot plant to enhance DAC capabilities. This is part of Aramco’s broader efforts to help decarbonize industries that are harder to reduce emissions from. According to Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco’s senior vice president, DAC technologies will be crucial for reducing greenhouse gases in such industries. The CO2 removed can also be reused to produce sustainable chemicals and fuels, further supporting environmental goals.
The new DAC facility is an important step in Saudi Arabia’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. It aligns with the country’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060. Saudi Arabia is focusing on a circular carbon economy, which aims to reduce, reuse, recycle, and remove carbon.
This initiative is part of the Saudi Green Initiative, which targets reducing emissions by 278 million tones per year by 2030. The country also plans to switch 50% of its energy sources to renewables by then. The new DAC facility supports these ambitious goals.
Saudi Aramco is also working on scaling the technology for wider use. The facility serves as a testing ground for next-generation CO2 capture materials. These materials are designed to work in Saudi Arabia’s unique climate. Aramco aims to reduce the cost of these technologies, encouraging their use throughout the region.
Aramco has partnered with Siemens Energy to explore large-scale DAC plants in the future. This comes as part of the company’s broader strategy to develop more sustainable energy solutions. The launch of the DAC test facility follows Aramco’s recent partnership with Linde and SLB to build a carbon capture and storage hub in Jubail.
