A Brussels-based climate tech company, Sirona Technologies, just secured €6 million to tackle climate change with a powerful new weapon: machines that suck CO2 directly out of the air.
This isn’t science fiction anymore. While once considered fringe, removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, known as Direct Air Capture (DAC), is now seen as crucial alongside reducing emissions.
Sirona Technologies, co-founded by a Tesla veteran, is leading the charge. Their goal: capturing a staggering 1 million tons of CO2 per year by 2030.
Here’s how it works: Massive machines filter air, capturing CO2. This CO2 is then safely stored underground, where it turns to rock over time. Unlike planting trees, which would require an entire continent’s worth of land, DAC is seen as a more scalable solution.
“The amount of CO2 we need to remove is mind-boggling,” said Sirona CEO Thoralf Gutierrez. “DAC offers a faster, more efficient solution than planting trees.”
The key to success? Speed and innovation. Sirona takes a page from Tesla’s playbook, rapidly iterating on their designs. In just one year, they built three generations of prototypes, with each iteration capturing 20 times more CO2 than the last.
Their first test site? Kenya. The African nation, a leader in renewable energy, sees DAC as a way to further utilize its clean energy surplus and create sustainable development opportunities. A pilot plant is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
“DAC is a game-changer,” said Sirona CTO Gauthier Limpens. “With this funding, we’re ready to take our tech global. The potential is massive, and we’re excited to make a real difference, starting in Kenya.”
This technology has the potential to be a major weapon in the fight against climate change. Sirona Technologies is aiming high, and with their innovative approach, they just might reach their ambitious goals.