Sustainable Biz - Magazine - Page 20
Phlair’s carbonsucking technology
could lower direct
air capture’s costs
W
hen it comes to climate
change, there’s no such
thing as a “get out of jail
free” card. But there might
be an inexpensive alternative: direct air
capture.
The technology isn’t exactly an exoneration,
but more like community service; it
promises to suck massive amounts of carbon
dioxide out of the atmosphere, atoning for
our century-plus of transgressive burning of
fossil fuels. Scientifically, it’s a sound idea.
Commercially, it has been less so.
Currently, it costs about $600 to $1,000 to
capture a metric ton of carbon, which is far
more than anyone thinks is commercially
viable. So myriad startups are racing to cut
costs, aiming to capture one metric ton of
carbon dioxide for $100 or less.
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S U S TA I N A B L E B I Z M A G A Z I N E
MAY 2025