Revolutionising Industrial Carbon Capture: Carbon Clean

Carbon Clean is the point-source carbon capture expert, driving the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries for more than 15 years. The company is eliminating the barriers of cost and space through its breakthrough modular CycloneCC technology, which cuts the total installed cost and overall physical footprint by up to 50% compared with conventional solutions. 

Carbon Clean was founded in 2009 and is based in London.

SME Business Review reached out to Aniruddha Sharma, CEO of Carbon Clean, for an interview to discuss his journey, the development of breakthrough technologies like CycloneCC, and the company's role in driving the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industries. Here’s what Mr. Sharma had to say.

Interview Excerpts

Could you tell us about your journey in founding Carbon Clean and what inspired you to focus on carbon capture technology?

Our journey started over 15 years ago when my co-founder and I realised the immense challenge posed by industrial emissions. We saw that while renewable energy was gaining traction, hard-to-abate industries like cement, steel, and chemicals lacked viable solutions for decarbonisation. This gap inspired us to focus on carbon capture technology. We wanted to create something that was not only effective but also affordable and scalable, making it accessible for industries around the world.

CycloneCC is often highlighted as a breakthrough technology. How did the concept for this modular system come about?

The idea for CycloneCC came from listening to the concerns of industrial players. Many businesses expressed challenges with the high costs and space requirements of traditional carbon capture systems. We knew that to drive adoption, we needed a solution that addressed both of these barriers. CycloneCC’s modular design was our answer to these challenges. It is compact, cost-effective, and scalable, making it adaptable to a wide range of industrial settings.

What makes CycloneCC different from traditional carbon capture technologies?

CycloneCC is designed to be smaller, more efficient, and easier to implement. Traditional systems are often bulky and require significant upfront investment, which limits their feasibility for many industries. With CycloneCC, we’ve reduced the total installed cost and the physical footprint by up to 50%. This not only makes the technology more accessible but also allows companies to integrate it into their existing infrastructure without significant disruptions.

You have mentioned that CycloneCC is scalable. Could you elaborate on how that benefits industries?

Scalability is key for industries that need to reduce emissions incrementally. Not every business can afford to install a full-scale system upfront. With CycloneCC, companies can start small and expand their carbon capture capacity over time as their needs evolve. This flexibility is particularly valuable for industries operating in tight spaces or with limited budgets.

Carbon Clean has focused on hard-to-abate industries. Why is that your priority?

Hard-to-abate industries are some of the largest contributors to global emissions, yet they often lack practical solutions to decarbonise. Cement, steel, and chemicals are essential to our modern lives, but their production processes are inherently carbon-intensive. We wanted to tackle these sectors because making a dent here can have a significant impact on global emissions.

What challenges have you faced in developing and scaling Carbon Clean’s solutions?

One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming the perception that carbon capture is too expensive or complex. Early in our journey, we had to prove that our technology could deliver results without breaking the bank. Scaling production and deployment was another hurdle, especially since each industry has unique requirements. But by staying focused on innovation and listening to our partners, we’ve been able to overcome these obstacles.

How do you see Carbon Clean’s role in achieving global climate goals?

I see Carbon Clean as a catalyst for change. Our technology enables industries to meet their decarbonisation targets in a practical and economically viable way. By reducing emissions at the source, we’re helping to bridge the gap between ambitious climate goals and actionable steps. Ultimately, our role is to make carbon capture a standard part of industrial operations globally.

What has been your proudest moment since founding Carbon Clean?

There have been many milestones, but seeing CycloneCC successfully deployed in large-scale industrial projects stands out. It’s one thing to design a solution in the lab, but seeing it work in real-world settings and make a tangible impact on emissions is incredibly rewarding.

What partnerships have been instrumental in Carbon Clean’s success?

Partnerships have been crucial. We’ve collaborated with government agencies, research institutions, and industrial leaders to refine and deploy our technology. These relationships have not only helped us improve CycloneCC but have also allowed us to demonstrate its effectiveness across different sectors.

How do you balance innovation with practicality in Carbon Clean’s solutions?

Innovation is only valuable if it solves real-world problems. From day one, we’ve prioritised creating technology that is not just innovative but also practical and easy to adopt. This balance is why CycloneCC has been so successful—it’s a cutting-edge solution that fits seamlessly into existing operations.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in the clean technology space?

Focus on solving real problems. There’s no shortage of challenges when it comes to climate change, but the key is identifying a specific problem and working relentlessly to address it. Also, don’t underestimate the power of partnerships. Collaboration can accelerate progress and open doors you might not have access to on your own.

Where do you see Carbon Clean in the next decade?

In the next decade, I envision Carbon Clean playing a central role in making carbon capture mainstream. I believe our solutions will be deployed across a wide range of industries globally, helping to significantly reduce industrial emissions. Our goal is to make carbon capture as commonplace as other standard industrial practices.

What motivates you to keep pushing forward in this space?

The urgency of the climate crisis motivates me every day. Knowing that our work at Carbon Clean can make a real difference in reducing emissions and creating a more sustainable future keeps me driven. It’s not just about business; it’s about leaving a positive legacy for future generations.

Aniruddha Sharma | Chair & CEO

Aniruddha Sharma co-founded Carbon Clean in 2009. As CEO, Aniruddha leads and sets the company’s strategy and goals, represents Carbon Clean externally, including on a variety of industry and other bodies, and maintains overall responsibility for our sales, marketing and project delivery operations.

“Our global company is led by industry experts with over a decade of experience designing, building, financing and operating industrial carbon capture systems.”