The Innovation in CCUS Technology Award recognizes highly disruptive innovations in equipment, controls or digital technology that have had a major impact on energy efficiency, emissions, economics, scheduling, or quality. All technologies in this category should be at either: initial production and rollout, full production mode, or commercial (post-pilot).
The nominees are:
Nuada (Winner)
Nuada's MOF-Based VPSA Carbon Capture Technology
Nuada is a pure-play carbon capture technology provider that is poised to decarbonize heavy industries through its next-generation technology. The company builds energy-efficient filtration machines that capture CO2 from industrial off-gases, empowering emitters to reduce their carbon footprint with minimum impact on their bottom line. Despite the imperative role of carbon capture in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors, the deployment of the technology falls behind the necessary schedule to meet global climate mitigation targets. The current go-to CO2 capture methods are based on liquid amine solvents and energy-intensive processes that pose a significant cost barrier to the economic viability of carbon capture projects. Nuada has developed a next-generation point-source capture technology that redefines carbon capture and addresses the energy, cost, and integrational challenges of conventional solutions. The technology combines advanced solid sorbents, named Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), with mature vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) technology to enable the separation of CO2 from flue gases, using pressure rather than heat. This combination represents a step change in carbon capture innovation and yields a process that slashes the associated energy penalty by up to 80% compared to incumbent solutions and significantly reduces the cost of capture. Nuada’s technology is an end-of-pipe, electrically driven solution that can be easily retrofitted into industrial plants with minimum process modifications. Nuada built the first-of-its-kind MOF-based VPSA plants which are now being deployed at a pilot scale by industry leaders within the cement and waste-to-energy sectors. Backed by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), Nuada collaborates with leading cement producers to deploy the technology as a cornerstone solution for low-carbon cement production. The successful demonstrations in cement, waste-to-energy, and other sectors such as lime, steel, and blue hydrogen, fast-track the wide commercialisation of Nuada’s technology and accelerate industrial decarbonisation through a vital energy-efficient and cost-effective solution.![]()
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Mantel Capture (Honourable Mention)
High Temperature Molten Borate-based Carbon Capture
Mantel’s innovative technology leverages the unique properties of molten borates for carbon capture in high-temperature industrial settings. Unlike traditional carbon capture methods that primarily use amine-based solvents at lower temperatures, Mantel’s approach captures CO2 directly from industrial flue gases at elevated temperatures, significantly reducing the energy penalty associated with cooling and reheating processes. This method not only enhances efficiency but also improves the economic feasibility of carbon capture by lowering operational costs.
Carbon Clean
CycloneCC carbon capture technology
CycloneCC is a breakthrough cost-effective, space-saving solution. Our ‘Lego-block’, ‘plug and play’ modular design enables small-to-midsize industrial emitters to stagger their carbon capture investment. The technology to catalyse the deployment at these sites is now ready and process intensification and standardisation are key. At the heart of this innovative technology are rotating packed beds, which use centrifugal force to increase the efficiency of the carbon capture process.
Carbon Upcycling Technologies
Carbon Upcycling MACE Technology
Carbon Upcycling has developed a commercial decarbonization and carbon capture & utilization solution for the world’s hardest-to-abate industries. The company’s all-electric, low-energy technology captures point-source CO2 emissions in industrial waste byproducts, enhancing them into a low-carbon alternative to conventional cement blends. The innovative ex-situ approach accelerates the natural process of carbon mineralization from hundreds of years to hours, allowing for scalable full-stack emissions reduction through carbon capture and abatement while enabling a circular economy. Carbon Upcycling has been commercially operating in Western Canada since 2021, with material from its facility deployed across Alberta’s built environment. It is now developing its First-of-a-Kind commercial unit at Canada’s largest cement plant with CRH and its first international project in the UK with Cemex.
Carbonova Corp.
Carbonova Fiber
Carbonova has developed a unique chemical process with novel catalysts that generate high-purity Carbon Nanofiber (CNF) from a combination of catalytic reactions. This innovative technology is flexible and scalable, with lower energy demand and cost compared to traditional methods. The company uses specialized catalysts and equipment in a continuous process at medium-range pressure with minimized energy consumption. In a patented catalytic conversion technology, methane reacts with captured CO2 from the flue gas stream of large emitters. By using waste heat at the host plant, the mix is converted into syngas which is then directed to a carbonization stage. The exothermic reaction that follows converts syngas CNF material. The energy requirement is considerably lower than competitors as a result of the exothermic reaction requiring less energy, a unique catalyst design, and a waste heat recovery system. CNF is a product that is appealing for numerous industrial applications to reduce carbon footprint and represents a form of utilization that creates a valuable product.
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CERT Systems
CO2 Electrolysis for High Value Chemical Production
CERT Systems produces essential chemicals without fossil fuels. Using a process called CO2 electrolysis, carbon dioxide emissions from industry or from the atmosphere can be converted into high value chemicals such as ethylene. This process uses a catalyst and clean electricity to split CO2 molecules and reform them into basic hydrocarbons that are conventionally made from fossil fuels.
Halliburton
Tubing Retrievable Safety Valve for Carbon Storage Applications
Tubing Retrievable Safety Valves (TRSV's) are a key part of a completion system. With the increase in activity there was a need to develop a version that could handle the unique environment that comes with storing CO2 underground. The main challenge was creating a version that could function at a temperature down to -35 deg. C and also be able to survive a temperature down to -78.5 deg. C. In working with a consortium of operators to define the parameters of the project we were able to create a new TRSV that can meet the needs of the industry.
Svante
Svante Technologies Inc.
Svante manufactures solid sorbent-based nanoengineered filters and industrial contactors that capture and remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial facilities and the air, effectively stopping the greenhouse gas from contributing to climate change. Their novel approach to capturing CO2 is scalable, environmentally responsible, and commercially available today.
