Global energy and chemicals giant Aramco, in partnership with Siemens Energy, has launched the first direct air capture (DAC) technology testing unit in Saudi Arabia.
Launched as a research ground for advancing DAC technology, this new facility will be able to capture 12 tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide per year.
Specifically, the site will focus on developing next-generation carbon capture materials that would be suitable for use in the typical Saudi Arabia climate, where they will be used to deliver meaningful climate results.
Through this shared project, Aramco and Siemens Energy will also search for pathways leading to cost reductions in their ambition to scale DAC technologies in this region of the world.
With the experience gained from this endeavor, in the future, the two partners hope to be able to jointly deliver large-scale DAC deployments.
The newly launched DAC facility is part of Aramco’s broader sustainability strategy, comprised of both emissions reductions and solutions for removing accumulated residual CO2 emissions.
As part of this plan, the company has set a target of reaching Scope 1 and Scope 2 net zero emissions across all its wholly-owned and operated initiatives by 2050.
In line with this vision, in December 2024, Aramco inked a shareholder’s agreement with Linde and SLB, laying the foundation for the future creation of a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) hub in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.
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According to the developers, in Phase One, the Jubail CCS hub will be able to capture nine million tonnes of CO2 coming from three Aramco gas plants and other industrial sources.
Commenting on the launch of the Saudi Arabia DAC facility, Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination, stated, “The test facility launched by Aramco is a key step in our efforts to scale up viable DAC systems for deployment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond.”
He goes on to explain that besides a carbon removal impact, this DAC facility will also provide a valuable captured CO2 that can then be used to produce more sustainable chemicals and fuels.
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