• Spiritus appoints Brian Higgins, PhD, and Scott Kongkitisupchai, PhD, specialists in commercializing clean-tech, to accelerate DAC operations.
• Higgins and Kongkitisupchai bring proven experience scaling technologies from pilot stages to industrial-scale deployments.
• Strategic hires aim to fast-track Spiritus’ New Mexico pilot and first megaton-scale Carbon Orchard in Wyoming, targeting hard-to-abate sectors.

Spiritus, a leader in direct air capture (DAC) technology, has appointed Brian Higgins, PhD, as Vice President of Technology Innovation, and Scott Kongkitisupchai, PhD, as Senior Director of Engineering. Both executives are recognized for successfully transitioning clean-tech innovations into commercial operations, vital experience for Spiritus’ ambitious DAC projects.

“Bringing in people who’ve repeatedly taken clean-tech solutions from lab-bench prototypes to full commercial rollouts is important for our next steps,” said Charles Cadieu, Spiritus co-founder and CEO. “Brian and Scott have led projects that jump the typical pilot-phase pitfalls, exactly what is needed to ensure our DAC technology rapidly scales, meets industrial demands, and drives down costs.”

Higgins joins from Babcock & Wilcox, where, as Chief Strategy and Climate Officer, he advanced significant carbon capture and carbon-negative hydrogen initiatives. His background includes scaling multiple global pilot concepts at GreenFire Energy, EnviroCare International, and SBB Energy. Higgins holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley.

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“Spiritus has an ingenious and incredibly pragmatic approach to DAC carbon removal at scale,” said Higgins. “I’ve seen how tough it is to move from a prototype to industrial execution. Spiritus’ sorbent technology and Carbon Orchard go beyond theory, offering a cost structure that finally makes DAC compelling for large-scale emitters.”

Kongkitisupchai recently led engineering and commercialization at LanzaTech, driving carbon capture and utilization strategies. He previously guided chemical process design and technology licensing at industry leaders including LyondellBasell, Merichem, and Honeywell. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology.

“There’s a real sense of both urgency and optimism about getting affordable DAC solutions to the market right now,” said Kongkitisupchai. “Having built commercial systems at LanzaTech, I know success hinges on crossing the pilot-stage finish line quickly. Spiritus recognizes the urgency and has the backing to do it right: turning carbon removal into a viable pillar of industrial growth, not a niche project.”

Spiritus’ New Mexico pilot, operational by late 2025, and Wyoming’s Carbon Orchard will target industries unable to fully rely on renewables or electrification, such as data centers and aviation, significantly scaling DAC solutions for critical sectors.

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