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.
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 CO₂ 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.
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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.