C-Questra and RepAir Carbon Kick Off Europe’s First Onshore Direct Air Capture Project

C-Questra, a pioneering Dutch startup specializing in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), has teamed up with RepAir Carbon, an innovative US company, to launch the European Union’s first onshore Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACS) project. This ambitious initiative, set to unfold in Grandpuits, France, represents a significant advancement in the field of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and aims to address critical challenges associated with existing carbon capture technologies.

C-Questra focuses on the entire CO2 storage value chain, striving to enhance sustainable industrial practices to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The new project is groundbreaking as it introduces the first onshore DACS system in the EU, which eliminates the necessity for expensive midstream and offshore infrastructure. This is a substantial departure from traditional methods that often involve complex logistics and higher costs.

The innovative aspect of this project lies in RepAir Carbon’s ultra-modular electrochemical technology. Unlike conventional Direct Air Capture systems, which are criticized for their high energy demands and reliance on solvents and sorbents, RepAir's technology significantly reduces energy consumption by 70%. It operates solely on electricity, making it a more efficient, cost-effective, and safer solution for atmospheric CO2 removal. Traditional DAC solutions often consume around 2.5 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy per ton of CO2 captured, whereas RepAir’s method uses only 0.6 MWh, highlighting its efficiency.

The collaboration between C-Questra and RepAir aims to establish a DACS value chain on French soil, integrating capture and storage facilities to minimize the need for additional infrastructure. C-Questra has applied for a permit to develop an onshore CO2 storage site in Grandpuits, with the goal of removing 100,000 tons of CO2 annually by 2030. The project aims to scale up its operations to handle megaton levels of CO2 removal by 2035. This large-scale carbon removal is critical for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and combating climate change.

In addition to its technological innovations, the partnership has committed to exploring local manufacturing opportunities in the Île-de-France region. This effort is expected to create new green jobs and contribute to the development of similar DACS projects in other EU countries, supporting regional economic growth and advancing the carbon capture industry.

Jean-Philippe Hiegel, Head of Strategy and Growth at RepAir Carbon, emphasized that this project sets a new standard for carbon removal in Europe. The combination of RepAir’s advanced technology and C-Questra’s expertise in carbon storage addresses major obstacles to widespread DACS adoption. Hiegel's remarks underline the project's potential to significantly impact global decarbonization efforts.

Walid Sinno, Founder and CEO of C-Questra, highlighted the significance of the partnership in showcasing Europe’s ability to advance onshore direct air capture and storage technologies. Sinno noted that this initiative is crucial for maintaining Europe's leadership in the carbon dioxide removal sector, especially in the context of competition with the US Inflation Reduction Act, which has spurred substantial investments in carbon capture technologies.

Overall, the collaboration between C-Questra and RepAir Carbon represents a significant step forward in the development and implementation of onshore carbon capture technologies, with the potential to set new benchmarks for efficiency, scalability, and sustainability in the fight against climate change.