Climeworks fires up Mammoth DAC plant

Launch of project powered by geothermal energy in Iceland marks step forward in push to scale up expensive direct-air-capture technology

Switzerland-based carbon management technology firm Climeworks has started up its Mammoth direct air capture (DAC) and storage project in southwest Iceland, which it claims to be the largest plant of its type in the world. At capacity, the project is expected to filter and capture up to 36,000t/yr of CO₂ from the atmosphere. Twelve of its total 72 collector containers have so far been installed, with the rest scheduled to be fitted by the end of 2024. Captured CO₂ will be transported into permanent underground storage by Iceland-based firm Carbfix. Once underground, the CO₂ reacts with basaltic rock through a natural process, which transforms into stone. Climeworks said it verifies and certi