Learn how molecular-sieving membranes can make CO₂ capture more practical for cement plants, with a modular, solvent-free approach built for real site conditions.
Separating CO₂ at molecular scale
Cement flue gas contains a mix of CO₂, nitrogen, water vapour and other components. To capture CO₂, these gases need to be separated efficiently, often in a challenging environment where fine dust remains present even after conventional filtration.
Our membranes use molecular sieving to perform this separation.
At the centre of the membrane is a metal-organic framework, or MOF: a highly porous material with a regular structure of precisely sized channels. By selecting the materials and structure of the MOF, we can tune these channels for a specific separation task.
In our CO₂ capture membranes, the pores allow CO₂ to pass through while retaining larger gases such as nitrogen and carbon monoxide. Water vapour passes through too, but can be removed in a subsequent step before the CO₂ is condensed or liquefied.
Rather than relying on a chemical reaction to capture CO₂, this approach separates gases according to their molecular properties. The result is a compact process that does not require liquid solvents or a new chemical treatment loop at the plant.
Designed around the realities of an operating cement plant
For any retrofit project, the existing site matters as much as the capture technology itself.
Cement flue gas is abrasive and dusty. Our system is designed to operate downstream of the filtration equipment plants already use, such as a baghouse or electrostatic precipitator. This means the pre-treatment requirement is limited to a familiar and established step in the cement process.
The membrane cartridges are packaged into containerised units, which can be integrated into different site layouts. This modularity is important where space is limited or where a plant needs to develop its capture capacity in stages.
Rather than committing to a full-scale installation immediately, a site can begin with a smaller unit, assess performance and build capacity over time. The pace of deployment can reflect local factors: available space, access to CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure, offtake opportunities and the plant’s wider decarbonisation roadmap.
A smaller footprint, with room to grow
Physical footprint is often a deciding factor for carbon capture projects. Large, centralised installations can be difficult to accommodate at existing facilities, particularly when they require additional process equipment, storage and utility connections.
Containerised membrane units offer more flexibility. They can be arranged together or distributed across a site, including on existing structures or in areas that are otherwise underused. They can also be added progressively as demand, infrastructure and commercial conditions develop.
A 12 m container unit is designed to capture up to 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, at a capture rate of 90–95%. We are currently designing smaller units in the 5,000–30,000 tonnes-per-year range for demonstration projects and early applications in the cement sector.
At larger scale, we estimate that around 20 containers could separate 1 Mt of CO₂ per year. This makes it possible to think about capture capacity as something that can grow with the site, rather than as a single, all-or-nothing investment.
Keeping operation straightforward
For a capture system to work at plant level, it must be practical to operate and maintain.
Our membrane process has no liquid solvents and no moving parts within the separation step itself. Pumps are required, but the system avoids the operational burden of managing a complex chemical process. It also reduces the need for highly corrosion-resistant materials that can add cost and complexity to a project.
The membranes are packaged in spiral-wound cartridges. A standard cartridge can process 50–100 Nm³/hr of gas, with multiple cartridges combined to reach the required capacity.
Over time, the smallest particles that pass through upstream filtration can gradually reduce membrane efficiency. Based on current testing, we expect cartridges to operate for at least five years before replacement. Because the system is modular, cartridges can be replaced container by container rather than taking the entire installation offline.
Looking beyond capture
Capturing CO₂ is one step in a wider site-level decision.
After separation, the CO₂ must be dried, condensed or liquefied, then directed towards a viable route: permanent storage, mineralisation or use as a feedstock. The best option depends on local infrastructure, nearby markets and the specific economics of each plant.
This is why carbon capture should be considered in the context of the full value chain, not as an isolated technology choice. A modular system can help plants begin with what is feasible today while retaining the flexibility to expand as transport, storage and utilisation options evolve.
From demonstration to deployment
We are working towards the next stage of industrial deployment for membrane-based CO₂ capture. By the end of 2027, our aim is to have installed 10,000 tonnes per year of CO₂ capture capacity from industrial flue gases.
Over the following five years, we aim to develop large-scale units in the range of 0.15–1.0 Mt of CO₂ per year. At the upper end, this could support projects in the cement sector where the scale of unavoidable process emissions calls for practical, scalable capture solutions.
For cement plants, progress will depend on more than a technology’s capture rate. It will depend on how well it integrates with the site, how it performs in real operating conditions and whether it provides a credible route from pilot-scale learning to commercial deployment.
Membrane-based molecular sieving is designed with exactly that progression in mind.
This article builds on an interview with Elia Schneider, our Co-founder and CTO, originally published in Global Cement Magazine in October 2026.
Read more from Global Cement and access the full October 2026 issue.
Learn how molecular-sieving membranes can make CO₂ capture more practical for cement plants, with a modular, solvent-free approach built for real site conditions.
Separating CO₂ at molecular scale
Cement flue gas contains a mix of CO₂, nitrogen, water vapour and other components. To capture CO₂, these gases need to be separated efficiently, often in a challenging environment where fine dust remains present even after conventional filtration.
Our membranes use molecular sieving to perform this separation.
At the centre of the membrane is a metal-organic framework, or MOF: a highly porous material with a regular structure of precisely sized channels. By selecting the materials and structure of the MOF, we can tune these channels for a specific separation task.
In our CO₂ capture membranes, the pores allow CO₂ to pass through while retaining larger gases such as nitrogen and carbon monoxide. Water vapour passes through too, but can be removed in a subsequent step before the CO₂ is condensed or liquefied.
Rather than relying on a chemical reaction to capture CO₂, this approach separates gases according to their molecular properties. The result is a compact process that does not require liquid solvents or a new chemical treatment loop at the plant.
Designed around the realities of an operating cement plant
For any retrofit project, the existing site matters as much as the capture technology itself.
Cement flue gas is abrasive and dusty. Our system is designed to operate downstream of the filtration equipment plants already use, such as a baghouse or electrostatic precipitator. This means the pre-treatment requirement is limited to a familiar and established step in the cement process.
The membrane cartridges are packaged into containerised units, which can be integrated into different site layouts. This modularity is important where space is limited or where a plant needs to develop its capture capacity in stages.
Rather than committing to a full-scale installation immediately, a site can begin with a smaller unit, assess performance and build capacity over time. The pace of deployment can reflect local factors: available space, access to CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure, offtake opportunities and the plant’s wider decarbonisation roadmap.
A smaller footprint, with room to grow
Physical footprint is often a deciding factor for carbon capture projects. Large, centralised installations can be difficult to accommodate at existing facilities, particularly when they require additional process equipment, storage and utility connections.
Containerised membrane units offer more flexibility. They can be arranged together or distributed across a site, including on existing structures or in areas that are otherwise underused. They can also be added progressively as demand, infrastructure and commercial conditions develop.
A 12 m container unit is designed to capture up to 50,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, at a capture rate of 90–95%. We are currently designing smaller units in the 5,000–30,000 tonnes-per-year range for demonstration projects and early applications in the cement sector.
At larger scale, we estimate that around 20 containers could separate 1 Mt of CO₂ per year. This makes it possible to think about capture capacity as something that can grow with the site, rather than as a single, all-or-nothing investment.
Keeping operation straightforward
For a capture system to work at plant level, it must be practical to operate and maintain.
Our membrane process has no liquid solvents and no moving parts within the separation step itself. Pumps are required, but the system avoids the operational burden of managing a complex chemical process. It also reduces the need for highly corrosion-resistant materials that can add cost and complexity to a project.
The membranes are packaged in spiral-wound cartridges. A standard cartridge can process 50–100 Nm³/hr of gas, with multiple cartridges combined to reach the required capacity.
Over time, the smallest particles that pass through upstream filtration can gradually reduce membrane efficiency. Based on current testing, we expect cartridges to operate for at least five years before replacement. Because the system is modular, cartridges can be replaced container by container rather than taking the entire installation offline.
Looking beyond capture
Capturing CO₂ is one step in a wider site-level decision.
After separation, the CO₂ must be dried, condensed or liquefied, then directed towards a viable route: permanent storage, mineralisation or use as a feedstock. The best option depends on local infrastructure, nearby markets and the specific economics of each plant.
This is why carbon capture should be considered in the context of the full value chain, not as an isolated technology choice. A modular system can help plants begin with what is feasible today while retaining the flexibility to expand as transport, storage and utilisation options evolve.
From demonstration to deployment
We are working towards the next stage of industrial deployment for membrane-based CO₂ capture. By the end of 2027, our aim is to have installed 10,000 tonnes per year of CO₂ capture capacity from industrial flue gases.
Over the following five years, we aim to develop large-scale units in the range of 0.15–1.0 Mt of CO₂ per year. At the upper end, this could support projects in the cement sector where the scale of unavoidable process emissions calls for practical, scalable capture solutions.
For cement plants, progress will depend on more than a technology’s capture rate. It will depend on how well it integrates with the site, how it performs in real operating conditions and whether it provides a credible route from pilot-scale learning to commercial deployment.
Membrane-based molecular sieving is designed with exactly that progression in mind.
This article builds on an interview with Elia Schneider, our Co-founder and CTO, originally published in Global Cement Magazine in October 2026.
Read more from Global Cement and access the full October 2026 issue.