Direct Air Capture: Removing CO₂ from the Air

The Berlin-based start-up Ucaneo is developing fully electric direct-air-capture (DAC) units modeled after the human lung to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air. This modular design not only ensures control over costs, performance, and operational readiness but also enables rapid learning and progress. Operating at room temperature with a capacity of 500 to 1,000 metric tons of CO₂ per module, the units can be deployed and scaled at various locations and in downstream processes using the plug-and-play principle. This enables flexible deployment. Michael Reubold interviewed the two founders, Florian Tiller and Carla Glassl, about their idea and vision.

CHEManager: How and where did Ucaneo’s story begin, and what motivated you to start a company?

Carla Glassl: We met in an accelerator program in Berlin—our shared vision quickly became clear: to make a significant contribution to climate protection. Florian brought extensive experience from the startup world, particularly through his work in venture building at McKinsey, and I brought in-depth knowledge from biotechnology and the biotech startup sector. We founded Ucaneo in Berlin in May 2022 and initially financed the company with our own capital as well as the Berlin Startup Grant. Just two months after founding the company, we raised our first 1.3 million euros, and our journey began.

Direct air capture isn’t new. What makes your technology special?

Florian Tiller: Direct Air Capture is a promising solution for combating climate change, but the first generation of these technologies is costly. Conventional thermal processes require high temperatures of up to 900°C, which drives up costs.

C. Glassl: Our innovation is based on a new electrochemical process that combines electrodialysis with innovative biomimetic catalysts. This process has several key advantages: It is entirely electric, operates at room temperature, and is energy-efficient. Another advantage is the modularity of our technology. The liquid sorbent can create different reaction chambers that can be controlled separately. This makes it possible, for example, to carry out energy-intensive processes specifically during times when electricity prices are low, thereby indirectly creating a chemical energy storage system.

Our technology also utilizes established supply chains, such as those used in water treatment, which significantly facilitates its scalability.

What happens to the_CO2 removed from the air?

F. Tiller: The removed _CO2 is stored in cooperation with our partners. We collaborate with both established companies and research projects to ensure long-term, high-quality storage.

In Germany, geological storage of_CO2 is currently not permitted, which poses a major challenge. That’s why we’re building partnerships in European countries where geological storage sites are available. We’re also in talks with companies that want to process_CO2 into products such as synthetic fuels or chemicals.

Just two years after founding the company, you built your first industrial modules. How did you achieve this rapid development?

C. Glassl: The foundation of our success is our highly qualified team, which brings together a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise—for example, in electrochemistry, biology, mechanical engineering, process engineering, and materials science. This enabled us to quickly develop a functioning prototype on a laboratory scale. Building on that, a feasibility study showed that our process could be among the most cost-effective in the world, with costs in the mid three-digit range per metric ton_{of CO2} in the near future. These results convinced investors, which enabled us to secure strong seed funding.

How do you assess the market potential for your technology, and what would contribute to your market success?

F. Tiller: The market potential is enormous. Studies by McKinsey and BCG estimate the global market size for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) to reach several hundred billion euros by 2050; as early as 2030, the market is expected to reach a volume of up to 50 billion USD. Demand for high-quality CDR solutions is already on the rise and will continue to grow as a result of supportive regulatory measures.

What hurdles still need to be overcome?

F. Tiller: The biggest hurdle in Germany is the lack of expansion of geological storage facilities. Unfortunately, an amendment to the law on_{CO2 storage} is in danger of failing due to the premature end of the government’s term. However, we are optimistic that this will still be resolved in the near future. Another obstacle is the financing of early-stage technologies and the market ramp-up. Here, we are relying on targeted funding programs and partnerships.

What are your plans for Ucaneo in the coming years?

C. Glassl: Our top priority is optimizing our technology. Our goal is to reduce the cost of_{CO2 capture} to below 300 EUR per metric ton, and in the long term, even to 100 EUR. To this end, we have hired scientists and engineers who are working on optimizing our components and processes.

At the same time, we’re pushing forward with the practical application of our technology. We are currently in the permitting phase and preparing for construction of our first fully integrated facility in Berlin-Marzahn. With a capacity of over 250 metric tons per year, it will be the largest DAC facility in Germany. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with commissioning planned for early 2026.

In addition, we are working on another large facility in Germany with a capacity of 1,500 metric tons per year, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027. At the same time, we are in talks with international energy companies interested in plants ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 metric tons, to be built at locations with affordable renewable electricity and suitable storage options.