RepAir, Shell & Mitsubishi: The World’s Largest DAC Plant
Direct air capture (DAC) is a pioneering technology that removes CO₂ from the atmosphere to then be stored and/or used.
According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario, direct air capture technologies will capture more than 85Mt of CO₂ in 2030 and around 980MtCO₂ in 2050.
This, the agency says, requires a large and accelerated scale-up from almost the almost 0.01MtCO₂ captured today.
A leader in this space is RepAir Carbon.
What is RepAir Carbon?
Founded in 2020 by Yehuda Borenstein, Amir Shiner, Ben Achrai and Yushan Yan, RepAir is a carbon capture company which it says is “setting a new standard in carbon removal”.
Speaking with ClimateTech Digital, Yehuda said: “RepAir sets out to achieve a very simple task — capturing carbon at the lowest cost possible.”
It has worked with energy giants and titans of industry to bring DAC solutions from concept to reality. Namely, it worked with C-Questra to launch the EU’s first onshore Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACS) project in France.
And now, it is pioneering a first-of-a-kind commercial agreement with Shell and Mitsubishi for the Pelican DAC hub in Louisiana.
RepAir, Shell and Mitsubishi’s DAC collab
The potential of DAC has not gone unnoticed by major players in the energy sector.
By entering into a commercial agreement with RepAir, Shell and Mitsubishi are making a significant contribution to the growing DAC space.
This collaboration is part of the Pelican, a Gulf Coast Carbon Removal DAC Hub project in Louisiana, which aims to evaluate the feasibility of building a large-scale direct air capture facility.
The project has received grant funding from the US Department of Energy, aligning with national goals to establish large-scale carbon removal infrastructure.
The Pelican project: A milestone in carbon removal
So, how is the Pelican project a significant step forward in scaling DAC technology?
The Gulf Coast region offers ideal conditions for this project.
It is home to extensive CO₂ storage capacity, align with established infrastructure and optimal humidity levels. These conditions allow RepAir to maximise the performance of its technology.
“This project is another milestone in scaling next-generation carbon removal technology”, says Amir Shiner, CEO of RepAir Carbon.
“Through this agreement with two global energy leaders, we’re accelerating our transition to commercial-scale manufacturing.
“This will establish us as a key equipment supplier in an ambitious carbon removal project targeting hundreds of kilotons of annual capture capacity by 2030, in a market expected to reach hundreds of millions in value.
“The timing is significant, as we see major carbon management projects advancing globally, demonstrating growing market confidence in technological solutions for decarbonisation.”
The border impact on carbon management
The Pelican project is part of a wider shift in the approach to carbon management.
The agreement also provides RepAir Carbon with up to US$3m in development funding, accelerating their transition from R&D to commercial-scale manufacturing.
This investment in next-generation carbon removal technology could have far-reaching implications for the industry.
The rise of DAC and the future of carbon removal
DAC technology has developed significantly in recent years.
Traditional DAC methods have previously been criticised for their high energy consumption and operational costs. However, new advancements are addressing these challenges, making DAC more efficient and scalable — as demonstrated by RepAir.
RepAir’s electrochemical DAC technology uses 70% less energy than conventional methods, operating without liquids or solvents at ambient temperature — making its system uniquely suited for mass manufacturing and deployment.
And now by collaborating with Shell and Mitsubishi, RepAir is ushering in another significant milestone for the DAC industry — demonstrating that it is moving from a theoretical solution to a practical, scalable technology that is playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change.
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