The demonstration project, carried out in partnership with clean technology company C-Capture, tested a non-amine solvent as an alternative to conventional carbon capture systems.
The solvent, originally developed by researchers at the University of Leeds, captures carbon dioxide from the facility’s flue gases before they are released into the atmosphere. The solvent can then be regenerated and reused.
Donald Macphail, Chief Operating Officer – Treatment at Veolia UK, commented: “Carbon capture is one of the tools available to help decarbonise residual emissions where they cannot yet be avoided.
“However, achieving net zero also requires continued progress in waste prevention, recycling and circular economy solutions to reduce emissions at source.
“Technologies such as this are designed to complement – not replace – those priorities.”
Investment into carbon capture
According to Veolia, the pilot is currently capturing up to one tonne of CO₂ each day from the Sheffield facility’s flue gas stream.
However, the company acknowledged that large-scale deployment of carbon capture technologies will depend on supporting infrastructure, suitable regulation, commercially viable business models and continued public investment.
Greg Searle, Commercial Director at C‑Capture, said: “Successfully operating our technology at the Sheffield site is a major milestone.
“It demonstrates not only the scalability of our non‑amine approach, but also its real‑world advantages in energy efficiency, cost, and safety – particularly for challenging applications like Energy from Waste facilities.”
The announcement comes as investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) continues to grow across the UK.
The government has committed up to £21.7 billion over 25 years to support the development of CCS, with the ambition of growing the sector into a £5 billion a year contributor to the UK economy by 2050.
Councillor Mark Rusling, Chair of Environmental Services and Regulation Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council added: “This carbon capture trial in Sheffield represents a big step forward in the development of decarbonisation opportunities in our city.
“This is the largest project of its kind in South Yorkshire, and we are proud to support innovation and new technology.”
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