Durable CDR Market: Which Solution is Right for Your Business?
                     Durable CDR Market: Which 
Solution is Right for Your 
Business?
In the face of escalating climate concerns, businesses worldwide are increasingly looking 
toward carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions to offset emissions and achieve long-term 
sustainability goals. According to Inkwood Research, the global durable carbon dioxide 
removal (CDR) demand market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.47% during the 
forecast period 2030 to 2040.
Durable CDR technologies, designed to sequester carbon for hundreds to thousands of 
years, provide viable strategies for companies seeking to make a lasting impact on their 
carbon footprint. 
In this guide, we explore the primary durable CDR approaches—direct air capture (DAC), 
biochar production, and mineralization—highlighting the pros, cons, and costs of each.
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We also closely analyze some real-life examples where these implementations have been 
successful. By comparing these solutions, we aim to help businesses across industries 
determine the most suitable option for their unique needs.
1. Direct Air Capture (DAC): 
Direct air capture technology involves extracting CO₂ directly from the atmosphere using 
large-scale machinery. Companies like Climeworks and Carbon Engineering are leading 
the DAC space, deploying systems that capture CO₂ and either sequester it underground or 
utilize it for commercial products like fuels and building materials.
Pros:
 Scalability: DAC systems can be scaled depending on carbon capture needs, 
making them flexible for varying levels of CO₂ removal.
 Versatility: CO₂ captured via DAC can be permanently stored underground or 
repurposed, which opens avenues for potential revenue.
 High Carbon Removal Potential: DAC has the potential to capture millions of tons 
of CO₂ annually, especially with advancements in renewable energy powering the 
systems.
Cons:
 Energy Intensive: DAC requires significant energy, especially when using 
conventional power sources. For instance, Climeworks’ Orca Plant in 
Iceland requires geothermal energy to operate sustainably.
 High Costs: Currently, DAC is one of the more expensive CDR options, with costs 
averaging between $250 and $600 per ton of CO₂ captured.
Aligning with this, Microsoft has committed to using DAC as part of its ambitious goal to be 
carbon-negative by 2030. The company has also  partnered with   Climeworks   to purchase 
DAC credits, illustrating how DAC aligns well with technology-driven companies with large 
emissions reduction budgets.
For industries with significant carbon footprints, like cement manufacturing and fossil fuel 
companies, DAC provides an efficient way to offset emissions. For instance, Occidental 
Petroleum partnered with Carbon Engineering in August 2023 to integrate DAC into its 
operations, aiming to become a net-zero oil producer by 2040.
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2. Biochar Production: 
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating organic biomass (like crop residues 
and forestry waste) in a low-oxygen environment. This process, known as pyrolysis, locks 
carbon into a stable form that, when added to soil, sequesters  CO  ₂  while improving soil 
health.
Pros:
 Enhances Soil Health: Biochar improves water retention, nutrient availability, and 
overall soil fertility, which can be highly beneficial for agricultural sectors.
 Lower Carbon Sequestration Cost: Biochar production is relatively low-cost, 
averaging around $30 to $120 per ton of CO₂.
 Co-Benefits for Agriculture: Farmers and agricultural businesses can enhance 
crop yields while also sequestering carbon.
Cons:
 Limited Scale: Biochar’s impact is geographically limited, requiring land for both 
biomass sourcing and biochar application.
 Dependence on Biomass Availability: The success of biochar depends on access 
to biomass, which may be limited in certain regions or industries.
Biochar is highly suitable for the agricultural sector, forestry, and industries focused on 
regenerative land use practices. Farmers and landowners can use biochar to boost crop 
yields, creating a direct financial incentive. For example, Cool Planet, a biochar company 
based in the United States, has partnered with farmers to provide biochar as a soil 
amendment, showing improved crop yields and durable carbon storage. This makes biochar 
appealing for businesses in the agribusiness sector looking to enhance sustainability 
practices.
Cool Planet has successfully produced biochar for large-scale agricultural use, partnering 
with agricultural companies to sequester carbon while enhancing soil health. Likewise, 
in Kenya, a biochar initiative has helped small-scale farmers increase crop yields by up 
to 20%, demonstrating biochar’s potential in sustainable agriculture.
3. Mineralization
Mineralization, or enhanced weathering, involves reacting CO₂ with specific minerals (such 
as basalt or olivine) to form stable carbonates. This process naturally occurs over long 
geological timescales, but companies like CarbonCure and Heirloom have developed 
methods to accelerate mineralization for rapid carbon capture.
Pros:
 High Durability: Once CO₂ is mineralized, it is permanently stored as rock, making it
one of the most secure forms of carbon storage.
 No Long-term Maintenance: Unlike other CDR methods, mineralized carbon 
doesn’t require monitoring after sequestration.
 Potential for Carbon-Intensive Industries: Mineralization can be used in 
construction materials, allowing industries to integrate it into existing processes.
Cons:
 Geographical Limitations: Mineralization requires specific minerals and geological 
conditions, making it less viable in areas without access to suitable rock formations.
 Slow Uptake in the Market: While promising, mineralization remains less adopted 
commercially than other CDR methods.
Construction and infrastructure sectors stand to benefit greatly from 
mineralization. CarbonCure Technologies, for instance, supplies concrete producers with 
the ability to inject CO₂ into concrete, offering a viable CDR pathway for builders aiming to 
reduce carbon footprints in urban infrastructure projects. This approach not only sequesters 
carbon but also improves the strength of the concrete, making it a dual-benefit solution for 
construction companies worldwide.
4. Afforestation and Reforestation
Afforestation (creating new forests) and reforestation (replanting forests) are natural and low-
cost CDR methods. Large-scale initiatives, such as the Trillion Trees Initiative, highlight the 
potential of forests to sequester significant amounts of CO₂.
Afforestation projects align well with companies in retail and food production looking for 
community-focused sustainability strategies. Apple Inc, for example, has invested in forest 
preservation to offset part of its carbon emissions and enhance global biodiversity—a prime 
example of corporate commitment to ecosystem-based CDR. The company introduced 
the Restore Fund, a nature-based carbon removal initiative aimed at investing in projects 
that restore and protect forests, grasslands, and wetlands. 
Its initial investments in Brazil and Paraguay target the restoration of 150,000 acres of 
sustainably certified working forests and the protection of an additional 100,000 acres of 
native ecosystems. These efforts are projected to remove 1 million metric tons of carbon 
dioxide from the atmosphere annually by 2025. Additionally, in April 2023, Apple announced
that over 250 of its manufacturing partners have committed to using 100% renewable energy
for Apple production by 2030. (Source)
Pros:
 Low Cost: Generally inexpensive, averaging $1 to $50 per ton of CO₂.
 Ecosystem Benefits: Forests provide biodiversity, water management, and erosion 
control.
 Community Impact: Creates jobs and can support local communities economically.
Cons:
 Variable Durability: Forests are susceptible to fires, pests, and land-use changes, 
which can compromise carbon storage.
 Slow Process: Afforestation takes considerable time for newly planted trees to grow
and mature, meaning it can take decades before significant carbon storage and 
ecological benefits are realized.
 Land Use Complications: Competes with land needed for agriculture and urban 
development, particularly in densely populated regions.
Concluding Reflections
Choosing the right durable CDR solution requires a strategic alignment with industry needs, 
budget, and environmental impact goals. For large-scale industrial emitters, DAC and 
mineralization provide long-term durability but at higher costs, whereas biochar offers cost-
efficiency for agricultural sectors. Afforestation and reforestation can serve as budget-
friendly options for industries focused on biodiversity and community impact.
As the need for carbon neutrality intensifies, companies are encouraged to explore a blend 
of these approaches or collaborate with CDR providers to meet their climate goals. With the 
right CDR approach, businesses can not only offset their carbon footprint but also contribute 
to a sustainable future.
FAQs:
1. What is the most cost-effective, durable carbon dioxide removal 
solution for businesses?
A: Biochar and afforestation are generally the most cost-effective CDR 
options, with costs ranging from $1 to $150 per ton of CO₂ removed. These 
solutions also offer additional benefits, such as long-term, improved soil 
health (biochar) and biodiversity (afforestation).
2. What factors should a business consider when selecting a CDR 
solution?
A: Businesses should consider cost, carbon storage durability, industry 
compatibility, scalability, and environmental/community impact. Assessing 
these factors helps ensure the chosen CDR solution aligns with both budget 
and sustainability goals.
3. Which industries benefit most from direct air capture (DAC) 
technology?
A: High-emission industries like cement production, oil and gas, and chemical
manufacturing benefit most from DAC technology due to its high durability 
and scalability. DAC allows these industries to effectively offset emissions on 
a large scale, aligning well with long-term sustainability goals.