Switzerland has set the ambitious target of net-zero emissions by 2050. However, not all emissions can be avoided completely. This means that technologies that capture CO₂ and store them on a long-term basis are required.
To overcome this challenge, the company CO2 Energie AG, the project developer Airfix and the climate company South Pole – with the contribution of carbon capture pioneers Carbon Impact – have started a ground-breaking project for CO₂ capture and geological storage. The project is set to become the largest of its kind in Switzerland to date with 21,800 tonnes of CO₂ to be removed over five years.
CO2 Energie AG is planning to install a system that captures and liquefies CO₂ at a biogas plant close to Zurich. This will involve the annual capture and subsequent conversion of ~4360 tonnes of CO₂ emissions directly at their point of origin. This is the second carbon capture project for CO2 Energie AG, who are further expanding their business in the CO₂ recycling sector. The first system installed is already capturing CO₂, which is then supplied to the Swiss gas market and recycled, replacing fossil CO₂.
With this second system, CO2 Energie AG is going an important step further by producing negative emissions for the first time: after capture, the liquefied CO₂ is transported to a geological storage site in northern Europe by truck, train and ship, where it can be stored permanently.
South Pole's subsidiary Airfix plays a key role in ensuring that the CO₂ supply chain runs smoothly. Airfix specialises in the coordination and grouping of services for CO₂ transport and CO₂ storage.
In order to standardise the climate value of CO₂ capture, transport and storage, South Pole is developing a climate project in line with the specifications of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). An important milestone in the implementation of the project was recently achieved: The Swiss Climate Cent Foundation will guarantee the purchase of CO₂ certificates from this project for an initial value of CHF 10 million until 2030.
This pioneering project in negative emissions technologies (NETs) marks a first step for Airfix and South Pole in their vision of creating a market for negative emissions from Biomass and scaling it using innovative climate financing. Thanks to its foothold in the biogas and energy market, CO2 Energie AG is a strong partner for advancing NET projects.
The complete capture and liquefaction system is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. This marks an important milestone in the implementation of the project.
We support CO₂ emitters with the implementation and financing of CO₂ capture and storage projects. Want to find out more?
Contact us today: swissprojects@southpole.com
