TCM’s Pivotal Role in Advancing MOF-Based CO₂ Capture Technologies

The MOF4AIR project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, united 14 partners from eight countries to develop and demonstrate Metal Organic Framework (MOF)-based CO₂ capture technologies for power plants and energy-intensive industries. TCM was the Norwegian demonstration site in this initiative, conducting the test campaign at the Site for Emerging Technologies (SET).

The project commenced in 2019 and concluded with a final workshop in Brussels, Belgium, in January 2025. Among the invited speakers was Ahmad Wakaa, who shared insights from TCM’s involvement in the project.

“You have followed MOF4AIR from the very beginning. Can you explain the main principles of this capture technology?”

“Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials composed of metal ions coordinated to organic ligands, forming three-dimensional structures. Their high surface area and tunable porosity make them excellent candidates for gas adsorption applications. In CO₂ capture, MOFs can be engineered to selectively adsorb CO₂ molecules from flue gases emitted by power plants and heavy industrial processes. Selective adsorption occurs by designing MOFs with specific pore sizes and chemical functionalities that enhance CO₂ affinity. Once saturated with CO₂, MOFs undergo vacuum desorption, enabling CO₂ collection for storage or utilization while allowing the material to be reused in multiple cycles.”

“What have been the most important outcomes and learnings from the project?”

“The MOF4AIR project successfully demonstrated that MOF-based adsorption processes could be effectively integrated into existing industrial setups for CO₂ capture. Key outcomes include identifying and scaling up the most promising MOF materials, optimizing adsorption processes such as Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption (VPSA), and validating these technologies in real industrial environments. The project also provided valuable insights into the stability, selectivity, and regeneration efficiency of MOFs under operational conditions, paving the way for future advancements in carbon capture technologies.”

“What can you say about the test campaign at TCM? What kind of value has it provided for the project’s results?”

“At TCM, we conducted a comprehensive test campaign focusing on evaluating the performance of selected MOF materials under realistic flue gas conditions. These tests were crucial in evaluating the durability and efficiency of MOFs in capturing CO₂, particularly from refinery RFCC gas.The collected data provided empirical evidence for the feasibility of MOF-based capture systems and guided further adsorption process optimization. Our findings contributed significantly to the project’s overall assessment of MOF technologies’ readiness for industrial application.”

“What were your main messages in the presentation you gave in Brussels?”

“In my presentation at the final workshop in Brussels, I emphasized the successful integration of MOF-based adsorption processes into existing industrial frameworks, highlighting the operation stability of the MOF system and the promising results from our test campaign at TCM. I also emphasized the need for continued collaboration between industry, research institutions, and policymakers to accelerate MOF-based CO₂ capture deployment.”

“In what way will research and development of MOF technology be continued?”

“Building upon the successes of the MOF4AIR project, future research will focus on further enhancing the performance of MOFs, particularly in terms of selectivity, adsorption capacity, and regeneration efficiency. Research will also focus on reducing production costs and enhancing the environmental sustainability of MOF synthesis. Pilot projects and larger-scale demonstrations are planned to validate the long-term performance and economic viability of MOF-based capture systems in diverse industrial settings. Collaborations with industry stakeholders will be crucial in tailoring MOF technologies to specific applications and facilitating their commercialization.”

“Are there any plans for the commercialization of this technology?”

“The positive outcomes from the MOF4AIR project have attracted interest from various industrial partners looking to implement efficient and cost-effective carbon capture solutions. Future efforts should focus on scaling up production, ensuring compliance with industrial standards, and conducting cost-benefit analyses to support market adoption. The transition from pilot-scale demonstrations to commercial applications will involve close collaboration between researchers, industry leaders, and regulatory bodies.”

“What has TCM learned from its work in the MOF4AIR project?”

“Through our involvement in the MOF4AIR project, TCM has gained valuable experience in integrating novel adsorption materials into existing carbon capture infrastructure. We gained valuable insights into the operational challenges and solutions of MOF-based capture systems, including material handling, process optimization, and scalability. This experience has enhanced our capabilities in evaluating and advancing emerging carbon capture technologies, reinforcing TCM’s position as a leading facility for testing and developing innovative solutions to mitigate industrial CO₂ emissions.”