KC8 Capture Technologies

KC8 Capture Technologies Ltd. is an Australian-founded company, established in 2021, specializing in carbon capture solutions for industries with historically difficult-to-reduce emissions, such as cement, steel, power generation, and chemical manufacturing. The company's technology originated from over two decades of research and development, including work within the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC). In 2021, KC8 acquired UNO Technology Pty Ltd, a company founded by Barry Hooper, which provided the technological backbone for KC8's current offerings. Hooper, with over 40 years of experience in the chemical processing and CCS industries, now serves as KC8's Chief Technical Officer & Director.

KC8's core business involves developing and licensing its proprietary carbon capture process, known as UNO MK3. This system utilizes a non-toxic, precipitating solvent derived from potassium carbonate, a naturally occurring and widely available material. This approach is positioned as a safer, more environmentally friendly, and cost-effective alternative to conventional amine-based solvents, which can pose environmental hazards. The technology is designed to capture up to 95% of CO2 emissions from industrial sources, with claims of reducing capital costs by up to 50% and improving energy efficiency by up to 15% compared to amine-based solutions. A key feature is its ability to operate effectively in high-oxygen flue gases and eliminate the need for separate equipment to remove SOx and NOx impurities, which can be converted into valuable fertiliser by-products.

The company is in the process of commercializing its technology through several key international projects. In Australia, KC8 is developing the 'PACER' project, a 15-tonne-per-day (TPD) commercial demonstration plant at a Cement Australia facility in Gladstone, Queensland, with installation expected to begin in early 2025. In the United States, KC8 is working on a 10-15 TPD commercial pilot plant at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) in Alabama to capture CO2 from natural gas combustion. Furthermore, the company is collaborating with the University of Melbourne on an $8.5 million research facility to further develop its technology, including next-generation versions aiming for nearly 100% capture rates. KC8 generates revenue through licensing its patented technology and developing carbon capture projects. The company has secured significant funding, including a $10 million round in July 2024 led by Woodside Energy, Cemex Ventures, and a major petrochemical company, to accelerate the deployment of its technology and expand its team.

Keywords: carbon capture, potassium carbonate solvent, CCUS, industrial decarbonization, flue gas treatment, UNO MK3, emissions reduction, green technology, hard-to-abate industries, cement industry decarbonization, steel emissions, power generation emissions, chemical manufacturing, process licensing, UNO Technology, Barry Hooper, low-cost carbon capture, environmentally friendly solvent, National Carbon Capture Center, Cement Australia, Woodside Energy, Cemex Ventures, CO2CRC, carbon capture and storage