Saudi Arabia has marked a significant milestone in its climate strategy with the launch of its first Direct Air Capture (DAC) demonstration unit in Riyadh. The project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Energy, KAPSARC, and Climeworks, was inaugurated on July 27, 2025. This DAC unit is designed to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere, helping the country work toward its net-zero emissions targets and contribute to global efforts to tackle climate change.

Located at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), the mobile DAC unit will test the technology’s performance under the extreme heat conditions of the region. Unlike Climeworks’ previous installations in colder climates like Iceland, this project will provide critical data to refine DAC technology for use in hot, arid environments, which are more common in regions around the world.

The launch of the unit is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to scale carbon capture technologies. The country aims to capture up to 44 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2035, through the deployment of large-scale Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) hubs in the Eastern and Western regions. These hubs will serve to capture industrial emissions and either store them permanently or convert them into valuable products, contributing to both emission reduction and economic growth.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the DAC project holds significant economic potential. By localizing the production of key components and materials for DAC technology, Saudi Arabia can build a domestic supply chain, create new industries, and drive economic diversification in line with its Vision 2030 goals.

This collaboration is also aligned with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the Circular Carbon Economy, a holistic approach to addressing climate change by reducing, reusing, recycling, and removing carbon emissions. The launch of the DAC unit is a clear indication of Saudi Arabia’s proactive role in shaping the future of climate solutions, reinforcing its ambition to become a global leader in carbon management technologies.

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https://esgnews.com/climeworks-saudi-energy-ministry-launch-first-dac-unit-in-riyadh-to-accelerate-carbon-removal/