In a landmark achievement for India’s clean energy ambitions, a coal-fired power station has successfully produced its first drop of methanol from captured industrial CO₂. This milestone marks a significant leap in carbon utilization and low-emission innovation.
The breakthrough stems from a two-year collaboration between Carbon Clean and NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance (NETRA). They deployed Carbon Clean’s CaptureX semi-modular technology at the Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station in Madhya Pradesh. At the site’s 500 MW Unit-13, the CaptureX system directly extracts CO₂ from the coal plant’s flue gas. It then catalytically hydrogenates the CO₂ with green hydrogen, producing methanol — a key building block for fuels and chemicals.
Driving India’s Net-Zero Vision
The milestone aligns closely with India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. As part of a broader decarbonization roadmap, the government is preparing to launch a national carbon capture initiative, offering incentives of up to 100% for select projects. This push seeks to accelerate the adoption of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies across sectors. It also acknowledges India’s continuing dependence on coal as a primary energy source.
Inside CaptureX: Scalable Carbon Capture Innovation
Carbon Clean refined its CaptureX technology through nearly a decade of industrial testing. At NTPC Vindhyachal, the system captures 20 tonnes of CO₂ per day from flue gases. The system relies on Carbon Clean’s proprietary solvent, engineered to efficiently treat emissions from heavy industries. The captured gas boasts over 99% CO₂ purity, making it suitable for reuse, resale, or long-term sequestration. Building on its modular design, CaptureX enables scalable deployment, making it ideal for both industrial plants and mobile carbon capture solutions.
Expanding Global Partnerships and Impact
Carbon Clean continues to extend the reach of its modular solutions globally. The company recently partnered with offshore oil processing operator MODEC to deploy CaptureX technology aboard floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs). Each unit is expected to capture up to 300,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, showcasing the technology’s adaptability to diverse industrial environments. Three months ago, the company launched its Global Innovation Centre (GIC) in India. The centre aims to accelerate the next generation of carbon capture technologies and strengthen the company’s R&D footprint.
Next Step: CO₂-to-Ethanol at NTPC Simhadri
Following the success at Vindhyachal, NTPC has selected Carbon Clean’s technology for another pioneering project. This time, the project will be at its Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant. The new initiative aims to capture 25 tonnes of CO₂ per day. It will convert this CO₂ into ethanol, expanding India’s carbon-to-fuel capabilities.
Turning Waste into Value
Aniruddha Sharma, CEO of Carbon Clean, emphasized, “These initiatives are key steps in showing how waste CO₂ can be transformed into a valuable low-carbon product.” As reported by thechemicalengineer.com, by transforming emissions into commercially viable chemicals, NTPC and Carbon Clean are setting a precedent for how India — and the world — can reimagine industrial emissions as a resource, not a burden.
