Aramco, a global leader in integrated energy and chemicals, has unveiled the Kingdom's inaugural CO2 Direct Air Capture (DAC) test unit, marking a significant stride in its commitment to emissions reduction. Developed in collaboration with Siemens Energy, the pilot plant is designed to extract 12 tons of carbon dioxide annually directly from the atmosphere.

This pioneering initiative underscores Aramco's strategic focus on advancing next-generation carbon capture technologies. The facility will serve as a crucial testing ground for evaluating and optimizing CO2 capture materials under Saudi Arabia's unique climatic conditions. A primary objective is to drive down the cost of DAC technology, thereby accelerating its widespread adoption across the region.

The collaboration between Aramco and Siemens Energy extends beyond the initial pilot phase. Both companies are committed to a long-term partnership aimed at scaling up the technology. This collaborative effort could potentially pave the way for the establishment of large-scale DAC facilities in the future, contributing significantly to global carbon mitigation efforts.

Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination, emphasized the pivotal role of DAC technology in addressing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in sectors where emissions are difficult to abate. "Technologies that directly capture carbon dioxide from the air will likely play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions moving forward," he stated. "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."

This project aligns with Aramco’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions across its wholly-owned operated assets by 2050. The company is pursuing a comprehensive approach to carbon management, exploring both point-source carbon capture and direct air capture technologies. This strategy is rooted in the principles of the circular carbon economy, which aims to minimize carbon emissions by capturing, utilizing, and storing CO2.

The launch of the DAC test unit follows the recent announcement in December 2024 of a shareholders’ agreement between Aramco, Linde, and SLB to develop a large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) hub in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Phase one of this CCS hub will have the capacity to capture nine million tonnes of CO2 annually from three Aramco gas plants and other industrial sources.