ST Explains World's largest facility to remove ocean CO2 to open in S'pore: How does it work?

Such geoengineering tech holds promise, but more research is needed, experts say

- Chin Hui Shan

The largest facility in the world that can help to remove planet-warming carbon dioxide (CO2) from the ocean, located in Tuas, is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026.

It uses technology to change the chemistry of seawater and remove dissolved CO2 so that the water can absorb more CO2 when released back into the ocean, The Straits Times had earlier reported.

The seawater is discharged back into the ocean only after it is processed to preserve the ocean's chemistry.

Efforts that manipulate natural processes to tackle climate change are known as geoengineering.

Tuas' Equatic-1 demonstration plant is a collaboration between Singapore's national water agency PUB and American start-up Equatic, which developed the technology.

ST finds out more about this nascent technology, as well as its benefits and challenges.

WHAT IS MARINE CARBON DIOXIDE REMOVAL?

Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is a broad category that involves using the marine environment to take up and remove atmospheric CO2, said Dr Andrew Lenton, director of Australia's national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's (CSIRO) carbon dioxide removal programme CarbonLock.

The ocean, which covers 70 per cent of the earth, is one of the world's largest natural stores of carbon. It can store carbon more effectively and over longer periods than other natural ecosystems, such as forests.

Estimates show that the ocean absorbs around 30 per cent of CO2 emissions from human activity.

mCDR efforts such as the Equatic-1 demonstration plant seek to enhance or accelerate the ocean's ability to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere.

WHY ARE COUNTRIES LOOKING TO TAP MCDR TECHNOLOGY?

Climate change - driven by ever-increasing amounts of planet-warming gases being released into the atmosphere from human activities - is fuelling a rise in temperatures and more extreme weather events.