Climeworks: Swiss Startup Removing CO₂ and Leading the Future of Climate Tech

Introduction

Switzerland is famous for its banks, pharmaceuticals, and precision industries. But in recent years, a new wave of companies has emerged at the crossroads of science, technology, and sustainability. Among them is Climeworks AG, a Zurich-based startup pioneering direct air capture technology to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere.

History and Mission

Founded in 2009 by engineers Christoph Gebald and Jan Wurzbacher at ETH Zurich, Climeworks aims to fight climate change by industrially removing CO₂. Its mission — “We inspire 1 billion people to remove CO₂ from the air” — reflects the ambition to make carbon removal a mainstream solution.

Technology

The company uses Direct Air Capture (DAC). Special filters capture CO₂, which is then either reused (e.g. in food or synthetic fuels) or stored permanently underground. In Iceland, through a partnership with Carbfix, captured CO₂ is injected into basalt rock, where it mineralizes within a few years.

Investments and Partners

Climeworks has raised over $650 million — a record for a European climate tech startup. Investors include Microsoft and Swiss Re. Corporations are already buying “carbon credits” from Climeworks to offset their emissions, fueling demand.

Achievements and Projects

In 2021, Climeworks launched Orca, the world’s largest direct air capture plant at the time, removing up to 4,000 tons of CO₂ per year. In 2023, it announced Mammoth, a facility designed to capture 36,000 tons annually. Expansion into the U.S., Middle East, and Asia is underway.

Challenges

1. High costs — over $500 per ton of CO₂ removed.

2. Energy demand — DAC plants require large amounts of electricity.

3. Scale — current removal capacity is tiny compared to global emissions.

Significance

Climeworks represents a new face of Swiss industry: high-tech, sustainable, and globally relevant. Its innovations position Switzerland as a hub for “green technologies.”

Conclusion

Though challenges remain, Climeworks is a leader in negative emissions technologies. Its work is already seen as strategically vital in the global fight against climate change.