The fight against climate change is driving accelerated development of technologies for capture carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the main priorities within the global ecological transition. Recently, various sectors have introduced innovations that aim to reduce emissions and safely store CO2 or efficiently harness it, placing carbon capture at the heart of the climate strategy.
From industrial initiatives From biotechnological solutions to experimental projects in architecture, CO2 capture has become fertile ground for collaboration between companies, universities, and startups. In Spain and Europe, experts agree that these technologies will be essential to accelerate decarbonization, although their applications and challenges vary depending on the characteristics of each sector.
Cement industry and large-scale projects: the urgency of mitigating hard-to-abate emissions
In Catalonia, Cement factories have made a decisive commitment to reducing CO2 emissions., with a planned investment of more than 800 million euros by 2050. This industry, responsible for 41% of process emissions in Spain, faces the challenge of eliminating the carbon footprint in cement manufacturing through numerous strategies: harnessing green hydrogen, using alternative raw materials, electrifying transport, and manufacturing low-carbon cement and concrete.
The directors of the main factories have stressed the importance of carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCSU) technologies as the only truly effective way to mitigate process emissions, especially those difficult to reduce using conventional methods. Everyone agrees that without these technologies, the sector's climate neutrality by 2050 would be unattainable.
The example of Norway reinforces this trend: the country has launched the Longship project, which allows the large-scale capture and storage of CO2 generated in a cement plant and, soon, in an incinerator. Carbon dioxide is transported by ship and injected beneath the seabed into a saline aquifer, preventing 400.000 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year. This initiative, with strong state support and the collaboration of multinational energy companies, places CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technology at the center of European climate strategy.
Biotechnology, startups, and modular solutions: the role of microalgae in carbon capture
The entrepreneurial scene is also moving fast. Barcelona-based startup 4BlueTech, born from international collaboration, has developed a Modular and portable solution for capturing CO2 and nitrogen oxides combining artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Its system uses microalgae and bacteria capable of absorbing these gases and offers real-time traceability through a technological platform, enabling certification and the generation of tokenized carbon credits.
This technology, currently patented, is already in the pilot testing phase and has the support of various corporations and public agencies. One of its most ambitious projects is the conversion of CO2 into biofuels in conjunction with industrial companies, demonstrating how the diversification of uses It is essential to make carbon capture profitable and scale up.
Scientific innovation: living materials and carbon-absorbing architecture
In the field of research, teams such as the one at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) have managed to develop 3D-printed living materials with the ability to absorb CO2Using cyanobacteria, these materials perform photosynthesis and not only convert CO2 into biomass, but also mineralize it, forming stable carbon compounds that reinforce the material's structure.
These living structures, capable of acting as authentic carbon sinks, have been exhibited at international events such as the Venice Architecture Biennale. Blocks simulating tree trunks have been installed there, capable of absorbing amounts of CO2 comparable to those of an adult tree. Furthermore, the aesthetics and functionality of these materials are explored in experimental projects, imagining a future architecture that actively collaborates in the absorption of emissions.
Regenerative agriculture and waste recovery to capture CO2 in soils
Agricultural research is not far behind. The University of Murcia is leading projects that focus on the so-called carbon farming, integrating agricultural byproducts and plant biomass (such as seaweed harvested from the coast) into soils to increase their fertility and carbon storage capacity. These techniques, often encompassed within regenerative agriculture, turn soils into active CO2 sinks, contributing to both mitigating climate change and improving the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems.
CO2 capture is experiencing an unprecedented period of innovation., both in its industrial applications and in biotechnological and experimental solutions. Although significant challenges remain in terms of costs, scalability, and certification of results, the joint effort of companies, startups, research centers, and governments is laying the foundations for a cleaner and more resilient economy.
