Vaisala seeks to eliminate carbon capture greenwashing with new measurement solution

Vaisala
press release
October 22, 2024

Vaisala seeks to eliminate carbon capture greenwashing with new measurement solution

Carbon capture, utilization and storage, or CCUS, is an area that has generated much public debate – and much investment. Knowing exactly how much and what quality of carbon has been captured is essential if CCUS is to become a viable addition to the toolkit to combat climate change. Vaisala’s new MGP241 multigas probe delivers ongoing data at one-third the cost of today’s most commonly used measurement solutions in CCUS processes.

Vaisala, a global leader in measurement technology, today launched a new measurement product, MGP241, which measures CO2 and humidity and is specifically designed to bring transparency to CCUS projects. Governments and private companies need CCUS to reduce and offset carbon emissions if they are to meet their stated decarbonization goals. However, as current technology is not yet ready for large-scale use, consistent and accurate measurement of captured carbon is essential to ensure its continued development.

“No one knows yet whether CCUS will actually become a significant solution in our fight against climate change. The technology is still in its infancy. What we can solve now is how to make the measurement of these projects as transparent and as efficient as possible to leave no room for guesswork or sugarcoating results – our numbers don’t lie,” says Julia Salovaararesponsible for strategy and business development at Vaisala.

Critical industries depend on CCUS

The CCUS has already seen major investments. According to BloombergNEF, a record $6.4 billion was invested in CCUS technology in 2022, more than double from the previous year and with the United States leading with 45% of total investments. Yet many projects are late or fail to deliver promised results.

The success of CCUS technology is particularly critical for hard-to-abate sectors, such as materials manufacturing, power generation, and the chemical industry. With high emissions and few other meaningful solutions beyond improving their energy efficiency, these industries are facing increased pressure from regulators and the public to decarbonize their operations.

The cement industry is a particularly crucial industry, which alone emits 7% of global CO2. Additionally, global demand for cement is expected to increase by 12-23% by 2050. One early success story, Carbonaide, helps the cement industry use captured carbon dioxide in the making of concrete.

Through the carbonization process, Carbonaide technology reduces the amount of cement needed for concrete production. While the cement reduction required is remarkable, from 20 to 100 percent, the process also creates a permanent storage for carbon captured from an emissions source.

Carbonaide partnered with Vaisala from the beginning to ensure they know exactly what is happening at each step of the process and, potentially, how much carbon is being stored.

“Globally, Carbonaide’s technology has the potential to store 500 megatons of CO2 per year by 2050 in precast concrete products – roughly the same annual emissions of France and the UK combined . The investment case that we offer to our clients is entirely based on precise measurements and transparency. With Vaisala, we can be sure that the numbers we share with our partners are correct,” says Jonne HirvonenDirector of Operations at Carbonaide.

Transparent measurement at a significantly lower cost

The MPG241 measures carbon dioxide and humidity in point and direct air carbon capture processes, as well as in various carbon utilization and storage projects.

Unlike traditional gas analyzers, Vaisala’s MGP241 requires no expensive calibration gas, requires significantly less maintenance and promises a lifespan of over 10 years under heavy use. The compact size and in-situ design of the instrument allowed for a competitive price – around a third of the price of the most common solutions on the market.

“Our new probe directly measures gas flow and displays test results in real time. This level of transparency and evidence is essential for optimizing processes, building trust with stakeholders and demonstrating a true commitment to sustainability,” concludes Salovaara.

The MGP241 will be available for purchase starting today. For more information, please visit: vaisala.com/mgp241

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More information for media

Media kit with photos

Katri Koponen, Communications Manager, Vaisala
Such. +358 50 586 0262
[email protected]

About Vaisala

Vaisala is a global leader in measurement and intelligence for climate action. We equip our customers with devices and data to improve resource efficiency, drive the energy transition, and ensure the safety and well-being of people and societies around the world. With nearly 90 years of innovation and expertise, we employ a team of more than 2,300 experts committed to taking action for the planet. Vaisala Series A shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki Stock Exchange.