In Norway, pure-play carbon capture company Aker Carbon Capture AS and compatriot SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organizations, have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement, with the goal of further developing carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies.
Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) refers to a series of technologies for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) and utilizing or storing it safely deep underground.
Both the International Energy Agency (IEA) and United Nations (IPCC) consider CCUS to be crucial for reducing CO2 emissions and limiting global warming to under 1.5˚C, while in Norway it is seen as a vital part of the green transition in energy and industry.
CCUS is an indispensable tool for achieving global climate goals. As a technology, it has risen from nice to have to need to have, said Nils Røkke, EVP Sustainability at SINTEF.
Establish more CCUS projects
The agreement represents a strategic interaction on a non-exclusive basis, with the goal to speed up and make available CCUS more widespread. There will be actions to establish more CCUS projects, particularly in the field of CO2 capture.
Through the collaboration, the parties will explore opportunities to develop new capture technologies, share knowledge, and collaborate more closely to generate and follow up on new ideas.
Establishing a common framework for collaboration will remove barriers and bureaucracy, thereby enabling SINTEF and Aker Carbon Capture to collaborate quickly and efficiently.
Establishing the right partnerships is a critical component of our strategy and we are pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with SINTEF to develop new innovative solutions to curb CO2 emissions, said Valborg Lundegaard, CEO of Aker Carbon Capture.
A valuable long-term partnership
Aker Carbon Capture and SINTEF have a long history of collaboration. SINTEF has worked with Aker companies for over 25 years in the field of this specific climate technology, which demonstrates the value of long-term partnerships.
Aker and SINTEF have collaborated for more than 25 years, and have been pioneers of CCUS, which represents a vital solution for our ability to reach net-zero emissions. With this agreement, we accelerate the transfer of science and research to innovation in the market, said Alexandra Bech Gjørv, CEO of SINTEF.
Most notably, the parties developed a solvent-based capture technology together with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) as part of the eight-year SOLVit program.
Aker Carbon Capture is today a leading provider of a proprietary, amine-based carbon capture technology, which is being deployed in the Norwegian full-scale CCUS project, Langskip (Longship).
A partnership with SINTEF and access to their significant testing infrastructure and knowledge of CCUS and enabling technologies, will not only allow Aker Carbon Capture to continue to improve our existing technology portfolio but also enable us to collaboratively identify the next generation CCUS technology and bring it to the market. Through a strategic collaboration we can challenge each other to accelerate the development of new solutions, said Jim Stian Olsen, Chief Technology Officer of Aker Carbon Capture.
Through the Norwegian CCS Research Centre (NCCS), SINTEF and its partners have contributed both knowledge and research to Langskip.
To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and Norwegian climate ambitions, we need to continue the joint efforts to cut costs, reduce risk, and scale up CCS technologies. Research, development, and innovation efforts done in cooperation between universities, research institutions, and industry actors like Aker Carbon Capture are essential, said Mona Mølnvik, NCCS Director.
