Climeworks opens innovation center for CO2 removal in Zurich

(CONNECT) Climeworks has opened "the world's largest innovation center for Direct Air Capture (DAC)" in Zurich, according to its press release. Its overriding aim is to significantly reduce the cost of the technology used to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The world needs DAC on a massive scale, says co-founder and co-CEO Jan Wurzbacher, and cost reductions are key: "With the DAC Innovation Center, we are translating our latest breakthroughs into practical, efficient and more affordable solutions."

The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich announced back in July 2025 that it intended to invest the 162 million dollars in fresh capital from a financing round in the further development of its DAC technology in order to further reduce the costs of separation. More than 50 engineers, chemists and technology experts are reportedly working in the newly established innovation center, which is located between the city centre and the airport. Climeworks benefits "from Switzerland's thriving climate innovation ecosystem and engineering talent".

The new DAC Innovation Center brings together the four key elements of DAC development under one roof: firstly, materials science to develop next-generation sorption materials; secondly, integrated prototype development of small and medium-sized test systems; thirdly, system optimization to improve energy consumption, modularity and scalability for global roll-out; and fourthly, reliability testing. Climeworks describes this integrated approach as part of its global growth strategy.

In addition to the DAC Innovation Center, Climeworks is also opening a showroom. There, interested parties can experience CO2 removal up close. The show combines direct air capture with other leading CO2 removal technologies and emphasizes its benefits for economies and communities around the world.ce/mm