Carbon sequestration and carbon capture

The global climate change problem requires innovative and effective solutions. Together with our clients, Sweco seeks solutions by offering design and expert services related to carbon sequestration and carbon capture.

Carbon has also a natural cycle, but  it has been recognised that, in addition, carbon should be removed from the circulation in order to achieve the EU’s climate neutrality commitment by 2050. Furthermore, there is no desire to add new carbon of fossil origin to the cycle for the same reason. When biofuels are burned, biogenic carbon dioxide is produced, which can be reprocessed into new products. There are many processes and technologies related to the above mentioned challenges, in which Sweco has strong expertise:

1. Carbon capture from flue gases (CCU)
2. Direct atmospheric capture of carbon dioxide (DAC)
3. Liquefaction, storage and transfer of carbon dioxide
4. Synthetic fuels such as methanol, methane or SAF (synthetic aviation fuel). This is also essentially related to preparation of hydrogen.
5. Manufacture of other products and chemicals than with carbon from fossil sources
6. Renewable or recycled carbon. The production of hydrogen is also an integral part of this.
7. Biochar production
8. Construction with carbon-sequestering materials

Carbon capture is steered, for example, by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), under which emissions from the emissions trading sector should fall by 62% by 2030 from the 2005 level. The directive related to emissions trading has been updated and entered into force in May 2023.

A carbon border adjustment mechanism has been developed to protect the benefits of emissions trading. The CBAM aims to prevent emissions from being transferred to the manufacture of imported goods.

In general, societies and consumers demand sustainably produced products and goods. Technologies related to carbon capture, carbon sequestration and circularity enable sustainable production.

Related technology is evolving, numerous pilot-scale and individual production-scale carbon capture plants have been built and are under construction in Europe. Sweco has modern know-how and the best technologies in the industry to ensure that your project succeeds.