Technologies like Direct Air Capture (DAC) have been around for years, yet a key challenge remains: capturing sufficient amounts of CO₂. Because atmospheric CO₂ is far more diluted than the concentrated emissions from power plants or industrial facilities, DAC is more energy-intensive and expensive than technologies capturing CO₂ directly at the source. 

Despite these challenges, DAC holds significant potential as a tool for removing CO₂ from the atmosphere, especially emissions that are difficult or impossible to eliminate at the source. Coupled with renewable energy and ongoing advances in materials and sorbents, DAC’s efficiency is improving, and costs are expected to decline over time. 

The next generation of CCUS technology
Beyond DAC, other CCUS technologies are also advancing rapidly. Innovations in capture solvents, membranes, and adsorption materials are reducing energy requirements and making CO₂ capture more cost-effective for industries like cement, steel, and chemicals. Meanwhile, utilisation technologies are finding new ways to turn captured CO₂ into fuels, chemicals, and construction materials. These innovations create economic value while also reducing emissions. 

Technological developments within CCUS also open doors to entirely new business models and approaches to climate action. For example, modular capture units can be deployed at multiple sites, providing flexibility across different locations. Integrated capture and storage systems, on the other hand, can link multiple industries to shared transport and storage infrastructure. 

These developments not only make CCUS more adaptable and cost-effective but also enable industries to collaborate in new ways, share resources, and scale solutions faster. By combining flexibility with integrated infrastructure, CCUS can move from isolated projects to systemic climate solutions, creating both economic and environmental value. 

R&D driving CCUS innovation in Denmark
Denmark is at the forefront of CCUS research, combining industrial expertise with academic innovation. Companies like COWI, Danfoss, and Rambøll are advancing project development and technologies, while universities such as the Technical University of Denmark and Aarhus University are researching materials, energy efficiency, and utilisation pathways for CO₂. Some of this is done through improving sorbents, integrating renewable energy, and testing pilot projects. Denmark is making CCUS, including DAC, more efficient and cost-effective. 

Collaboration between universities, research institutes, and industry accelerates technology development and provides knowledge to guide regulation, public acceptance, and deployment. Through sustained R&D, Denmark continues to push the boundaries of CCUS and advance climate solutions, while also helping create a de-risked market that attracts investment and enables large-scale deployment.