Europe’s Carbon Capture Goes Modular

Air Liquide and EU-backed projects drive faster adoption of compact, flexible CO₂ capture systems across European industries

4 Apr 2025

European industry is turning to modular carbon capture systems as a faster and more flexible route to decarbonisation, with support from companies including Air Liquide and regulatory backing from the European Commission.

Unlike traditional carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure, which is costly and site-specific, modular units are pre-built, shipped, and installed with minimal disruption. This “plug and play” approach is intended to lower entry barriers for mid-sized manufacturers seeking to reduce emissions under tightening EU climate regulations.

A 2025 report by Catalisti, the Flemish innovation agency, described the development as a “breakthrough moment”. On 27 May, construction began on the Fluxys c-grid CO₂ pipeline in the Port of Antwerp. The project is a joint venture involving Fluxys Belgium, Pipelink and Air Liquide and is designed to support shared CCS infrastructure for the region.

Air Liquide is also a key partner in the Kairos@C project with BASF in Antwerp, one of Europe’s first cross-border CCS value chains, due to become operational later this year. The company’s role in both modular technology and networked infrastructure points to a shift in how carbon capture is deployed at scale.

“This is more than a technical advance, it’s a new business model,” a Catalisti spokesperson said. “Modular systems offer flexibility, speed, and a path to decarbonisation without massive capital risk.”

The European Commission has mandated that 50mn tonnes of CO₂ be stored annually by 2030 under its Net-Zero Industry Act. Modular units, with faster installation timelines and adaptable design, are seen as critical to meeting that target, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, refining and chemicals.

Challenges remain in tailoring these systems to different emissions profiles, but improvements in digital controls and integration are helping to enable site-specific applications.

In parallel, leasing models are emerging that allow carbon capture to be provided as a service. This could open the market to smaller firms and attract new investors to the sector.

As industrial firms seek to balance regulatory pressure and commercial viability, modular capture units offer a more agile path toward low-carbon operations.