PUBLISHER: Guidehouse Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1794195
PUBLISHER: Guidehouse Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1794195
Engineered and nature-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods play a key role in global climate change mitigation, as they can reduce net atmospheric CO2 levels. However, the industry is entering a critical transition phase, characterized by concentrated but limited demand, and fragmented supply.
Direct air capture (DAC) is an engineered CDR technology that extracts CO2 directly from the atmosphere, typically using solid sorbents or liquid solvents. The captured CO2 is then released, and the solvent or sorbent is regenerated using pressure or temperature swings, or electrochemical potential. Differing DAC processes vary in their energy, temperature, water, and land-use requirements.
Some DAC companies possess a global vision, while others remain focused on North America or another specific region. While a few were founded over a decade ago, many are relatively new. The 23 companies included in this Guidehouse Research Leaderboard are recognized as current leaders in the DAC space. Signifying a shifting market landscape, only five companies that featured in the 2023 edition remain in the 2025 Leaderboard.