Based in Cambridge, UK, Cambridge Carbon Capture (CCC) has developed a technology which removes CO2 from the atmosphere and converts it into a usable and marketable material with many potential commercial uses. Their patented CO2LOC technology offers a realistic solution to climate change by enabling industry to profitably sequester CO2 through a two-stage mineralization process.

The mineralization process involves the reaction of magnesium hydroxide (MgOH2) with CO2 to produce magnesium carbonate (MgCO3). The magnesium carbonate is filtered out to form a rock-like substance, permanently storing the sequestered carbon in a solid form.

The end-product is strong and lightweight, fire and water resistant, and has many different potential applications across a range of industries. For example, a cement works could capture the CO2 emitted from the cement plant, and, using Cambridge Carbon Capture's process, can transform the captured CO2 into a filler for its ready mix concrete.

Other by-products include:

• Silicon Dioxide: a valuable compound with a range of commercial applications, including low-rolling resistance tyres;
• MgCO3: valuable as a building material due to its fire-retardant properties;
• Rare Earth Metals.

At current prices, CCC has conservatively estimated that net profits of $200 per tonne of CO2 sequested are achievable.

CCC has a £2.2M pilot project under construction with Dreadnought Tiles expected under operation by 2022. The project requires a Series A funding of £3 Million that would include a R&D stage (TRL 3 to 4), towards a pilot project in the stage 2 (TRL 5 to 8). The Dreadnought Project aims to capture 1 ton CO2 per day and convert it into construction blocks with CRH.

The core of CCC's business is to provide an economic case for industry to adopt CO2-reducing technology. CCC's strategy is to establish long term supply contracts with CO2 emitters with prices linked to current carbon prices. This offers price stability required for CO2 emitters to make investment in plant and for CCC to maximize their revenues.

CCC is commercially focused on Stage 1 with revenue streams from sale of metals, silica, APS (car tyre manufacturers), waterglass and magnesium hydroxide. The short to medium term revenues include subcontract and IP licenses to CO2 scrubber plant suppliers/construction material manufacturers, consultancy income, and R&D funding.

CO2LOC works in a two stage process: the production of low-cost consumables, and the CO2 capture itself.

• Stage 1 involves the low energy digestion of silicate minerals with NaOH to produce low-cost MgOH2 for the carbon-capture stage. By-products from this initial process include silicon dioxide, and a number of trace metals (Nickel, Platinum, Cobalt). Silica can be sold to the plastic and rubber industry, the glass industry or for construction sands in a high value landscape.
• In Stage 2, the exhaust gas is bubbled through a reaction column, in which the MgOH2 reacts with the CO2 to produce MgCO3. The MgCO3 is then filtered out, forming a rock-like substance, permanently storing the sequestered carbon in solid-form.

• Power Generation: CO2LOC can be used to sequester the CO2 produced by fossil-fuel power stations, thereby enabling the production of zero-emission electricity.
• Steel Production: the production of steel produces significant amounts of CO2 and other harmful emissions that can be removed from exhaust gases, therefore making Clean Steel a reality.
• Landfill Gas: Landfills produce various gases as organic compounds rots away. In partnership with YLEM, CCC is working to use their CO2LOC technology to remove the CO2 from the landfill gas and produce energy.
• The Hydrogen Economy: CO2LOC is currently under development in partnership with the UK's Gas Networks to convert natural gas to zero-emissions hydrogen by capturing the CO2.