The Industrial CO₂ Challenge

Industry emits 11.5 Gt CO₂ annually—30% of global emissions. Five sectors (steel, cement, chemicals, refining, power) account for 80% of industrial CO₂. Unlike diffuse sources (transport, buildings), industrial facilities are large point sources emitting millions of tonnes from single smokestacks. This concentration makes them prime candidates for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). But not all CO₂ sources are equal. Capture cost ranges 10x from $15/tonne (pure ammonia CO₂) to $150+/tonne (dilute gas turbine exhaust). Success requires matching the right capture technology to stream characteristics: concentration, pressure, temperature, contaminants.

11.5 Gt

Annual industrial CO₂

450+

CCUS facilities planned

10x

Capture cost variation

Interactive CO₂ Source Mapper

Explore major industrial sectors and their CO₂ point sources. Select an industry to see emission volumes, concentrations, and capture suitability.

Select an Industry to Explore CO₂ Sources

Steel & Iron

CO₂ Concentration Range: 15-25%

2.6

Gt CO₂/year

Major CO₂ Point Sources

Blast Furnace

CO₂ Purity: 20-25% • Temperature: 200-300°C

High Suitability

Direct Reduction

CO₂ Purity: 15-20% • Temperature: 300-400°C

Medium Suitability

💡

Capture Economics Insight

Steel blast furnaces produce concentrated CO₂ ideal for capture. Top gas recycling can increase concentration to 40%, reducing capture cost by 30%.

Why CCUS Matters for Industry

⚙️ Hard-to-Abate Sectors

•Steel, cement, chemicals have process emissions (not just combustion)
•Carbon-free alternatives decades away or nonexistent
•CCUS is the only near-term solution for deep decarbonization

🎯 Climate Necessity

•IEA: 1.7 Gt CO₂ captured by 2030, 5.6 Gt by 2050
•Without CCUS, 1.5°C target is mathematically impossible
•Essential for negative emissions via BECCS and DACCS

💡 Key Insight

CO₂ concentration determines capture economics. Pure streams (ammonia, ethanol) cost $15-25/t to capture. Moderately concentrated streams (cement, steel) cost $40-60/t. Dilute streams (natural gas power) exceed $100/t. Always prioritize high-concentration sources first.

CCUS in Industry: Capturing Industrial CO₂

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