CO2 compressors are becoming more important in the global push to reduce carbon emissions. These machines are critical for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) systems, which are designed to trap and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation (MCO) is aiming to secure a major share of this growing market. “CCUS facilities are designed to prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere by capturing it from the exhaust gases of chemical and power plants and storing it deep underground,” said Sasaki Yuichi, senior acting manager in MCO’s strategy planning department. “Compressing CO2 in these systems helps make a carbon-neutral society possible.”
After years of slow progress and relying heavily on government support, the CCUS market is now preparing for rapid expansion. According to energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, global CCUS capacity is expected to grow tenfold over the next decade. In 2020, CCUS facilities could capture 48 million tonnes of CO2 per year (MTPA). By the end of 2023, that number rose to 55 MTPA. Wood Mackenzie forecasts this figure will jump to 440 MTPA by 2034.
North America is expected to lead this growth, followed by Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
However, reaching this scale will require significant investment—around US$200 billion. Much of this funding will go toward CO2 capture, with the remainder divided between transportation and storage.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has already taken steps to support the industry. It has backed six front-end engineering design (FEED) studies for natural gas plants and five for coal plants to explore CCUS technology.
North America is well-positioned for CO2 storage, with many suitable geological formations, including salt caverns. If climate action stays a priority, industry experts believe the funding and technology needed for this transformation will follow.
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