UCLA launches the world's largest ocean-based CO2 removal plant

UCLA's Institute for Carbon Management and its startup Equatic are set to construct the world's largest ocean-based CO2 removal plant in Singapore, according to a statement released last week. The USD 20 mn project — dubbed Equatic-1 — will have the ability to remove 3.6k metric tons of CO2 annually and produce 105 metric tons of carbon-negative hydrogen. The plant is supported by Singapore's national water agency PUB, the National Research Foundation, and UCLA, and will be developed at PUB's R&D facility in Tuas.

How it’ll work: The technology harnesses the ocean's natural carbon storage ability, using electrolysis to break down water molecules and securely store carbon in solid materials for over 10k years. The first phase, kicked off this month, aims to remove 1 metric ton of CO2 per day by late 2024 before moving to full-scale operations by early 2025 and removing 10 metric tons daily.

What’s next? The modular system design is scalable and the carbon credits generated will support the project's partners, including companies like Boeing, for future commercial plants.