Advancements in Direct Air Capture

Forthcoming EU call topic HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-30 · HORIZON Innovation Actions. Part of call HORIZON-CL5-2027-02: BATTERIES and ENERGY. Opens 2026-12-03; next deadline 2027-03-31. Topic page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2027-02-D3-30

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcome: - Accelerating the commercial availability of Direct Air Capture technologies.

Scope: Projects are expected to aim at scaling up existing technical solutions to at least the level of pilot demonstration in relevant environments (TRL 7 or higher). Projects are expected to demonstrate: - Improving the cost efficiency of the capture and regeneration process, including Balance of Plant; - Improving material performance and process designs (e.g. capture/desorption capacity and kinetics, durability, long-term stability in air); - Potential for manufacturing and scale-up (recycling and reuse of materials); - Flexible operation under intermittent or surplus renewable energy supply.

Depending on the technology, other important issues to address are: - Reducing energy use for sorbent/solvent regeneration; - Alternative materials for - and approaches to - CO2 separation; - Development and demonstration of materials in particular for DAC systems operating in cold temperatures or under humid conditions, or in areas with severe air pollution; - Accuracy of simulated predictions compared to validation experiments; - New designs for efficient, high-flux air contactors, optimised for maximum air contact.

Projects must develop a comprehensive life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental implications of the entire DAC system, from material extraction and use, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through to end-of-life. The use of the European Research Infrastructure for CO2 Capture, Utilisation, Transport and Storage ECCSEL is encouraged but not mandatory. International…