CDR.fyi and OPIS, a Dow Jones company, have released a new report examining pricing trends and market dynamics in the durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) sector.
The report is based on the second durable CDR pricing survey, launched in December 2025, and provides updated insights into buyer and supplier expectations through 2030.
According to the findings, the gap between what buyers are willing to pay and what suppliers expect remains significant. However, the difference has narrowed slightly, falling from an average of $107 per ton in 2025 to $98 per ton this year.
Thus, the report suggests the durable CDR market may be gradually moving toward more aligned pricing expectations.
Buyers Prioritise Permanence and Transparency
The survey found that both buyers and suppliers view long-term permanence, transparency and proven track records as key requirements for carbon removal purchases.
Projects offering certified co-benefits and storage permanence exceeding 1,000 years were among the attributes buyers were most willing to pay a premium for.
At the same time, several barriers continue to slow dealmaking across the sector. These include high credit prices, limited policy incentives and concerns over delivery risk. According to the report, offtake agreements and spot purchases remain the preferred contract structures among buyers.
Relevant: Opinion: Beyond CDR: The Unexpected Legacy of Early Market-Makers
The survey also found that purchasers expect steeper discounts for advance purchases than suppliers are currently offering.
While price expectations are expected to decline across most durable CDR pathways, Biochar Carbon Removal and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) were identified as exceptions.
These methods continue to show relatively high contract volumes and stronger price resilience. Overall, the report suggests that neither buyers nor suppliers expect durable carbon removal prices to fall below $100 per ton in the near future.
The findings highlight ongoing challenges for the sector as developers seek to justify premium pricing while scaling deployment.
Read more: New CDR.fyi Report Shows The Demand Structure And Role Of Major Buyers In Durable Removals
