• Pilot plant captures 12 tons of CO2 annually, testing feasibility for large-scale application.
• Partnership with Siemens Energy accelerates innovation in carbon capture technologies.
• Initiative aligns with Aramco’s net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Saudi Aramco, in collaboration with Siemens Energy, launched the Kingdom’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) test unit, capable of removing 12 tons of CO2 per year from the atmosphere. This initiative represents a critical step in advancing emissions-reduction technology in Saudi Arabia.

Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco’s Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination, emphasized:

“Technologies that directly capture carbon dioxide from the air will likely play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions moving forward, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors. 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. In addition to helping address emissions, the CO2 extracted through this process can in turn be used to produce more sustainable chemicals and fuels.”

Aramco and Siemens Energy aim to use the pilot as a testing platform for next-generation CO2 capture materials specifically suited for Saudi Arabia’s unique climate conditions. Successful results could significantly reduce the costs and accelerate the deployment of DAC technology regionally.

RELATED ARTICLE: U.S. DOE Announces $1.8 Billion to Accelerate Direct Air Capture Facilities

This DAC project complements Aramco’s broader ambition to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company continues to prioritize carbon capture as part of its circular carbon economy strategy.

The DAC initiative follows a recent agreement with Linde and SLB to develop a large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) hub in Jubail, aiming initially to capture nine million tonnes of CO2 from industrial and gas plants.

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