Three UK clean energy firms have launched a joint venture to develop Europe's biggest direct air capture project. Airhive, Mission Zero Technologies, and Progressive Energy formed UnionDAC to build the facility on Teesside, according to Bloomberg.
The venture expects to begin removing carbon dioxide from the air in 2030. By 2032, plans call for capturing 60,000 tons annually, though specific investment figures or technology details were not disclosed.
The Teesside site was chosen for its existing industrial infrastructure and access to potential carbon storage or utilization networks. The region has become a hub for low-carbon projects, including hydrogen and carbon capture initiatives.
Direct air capture remains an emerging technology with high costs and energy demands. Critics argue that scaling such projects quickly enough to meaningfully impact global emissions faces significant economic and technical hurdles.
This project represents a bet that DAC can become economically viable as carbon removal markets grow, driven by corporate net-zero commitments and potential government incentives.