• Avnos introduces a pioneering “hybrid direct air capture” method that captures CO2 and simultaneously produces water, addressing global warming and water scarcity.
• The technology, highlighted in a CNBC report, transforms the expenditure on water for carbon capture into a revenue source by selling the produced water.
• Attracting $35 million in venture capital, including from JetBlue Ventures and Shell Ventures, Avnos’s approach is recognized for its dual environmental and economic benefits.

A new frontier in the fight against global warming is rapidly emerging, focusing on technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, known as direct air capture. Established companies like Climeworks, Carbon Clean and Carbon Capture have pioneered this field, employing large-scale fans in the carbon removal process.

However, a California-based startup, Avnos, is making waves by introducing a unique approach to this technology. In a CNBC report, it quotes Avnos CEO Will Kain, who explains that their method revolves around creating water rather than using it. “We produce as opposed to consume water,” said Kain. This innovative process, termed “hybrid direct air capture,” uses dehumidification technology to yield about five tons of water for every ton of CO2 captured.

Avnos’s technology is not just a scientific breakthrough but also presents a significant economic advantage. As Kain told CNBC, this method transforms a potential cost burden into a revenue opportunity. “We have the opportunity to turn a cost line item for other forms of direct air capture, in spending money on water, to a revenue line item, where we can generate revenue by selling the water that we produce directly from the air.”

Despite some skepticism regarding the overall impact of direct air capture on the global scale of CO2 emissions, which is reported to be around 50 billion tons annually, Kain remains optimistic. He views Avnos’s technology as a crucial element in a broader decarbonization strategy, encompassing renewable energy sources.

Avnos’s groundbreaking approach has attracted significant attention and investment, including from JetBlue Ventures. Amy Burr, president of JetBlue Ventures, emphasized to CNBC the dual benefits of Avnos’s method: it’s not only more climate-friendly but also an efficient way to produce sustainable aviation fuel.

In addition to JetBlue Ventures, CNBC reports that Avnos has received backing from notable entities like Shell Ventures, the Grantham Foundation’s Neglected Climate Opportunities Fund, and Rusheen Capital Management, amassing $35 million in venture capital funding.