TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Industrial Technology Research Institute said Tuesday that it installed a carbon capture device at Mitsubishi Electric's Advanced Technology R&D Center as part of a collaboration with the Japanese firm on carbon reduction.

Wan Hao-peng (萬皓鵬), deputy director of the green energy and environment research laboratories at the institute, said the equipment utilizes solid amines to absorb carbon, which can then be released for further use at relatively low temperatures, per CNA.

Compared to liquid-based carbon capture methods, solid amine adsorption technology offers advantages including a more compact design, longer lifespan, improved thermal stability, and greater energy efficiency, Wan said. He noted the device is suitable for small- to medium-sized manufacturing sites for carbon reduction.

Chemical plants and food manufacturers often rely on natural gas boilers for heat, which discharge exhaust gas with relatively low concentrations of carbon. Semiconductor plants, during manufacturing processes, generate volatile organic compounds whose breakdown results in carbon emissions. Wan added that these conditions are suitable for capture and reuse using the device.

Mitsubishi Electric said the company has been committed to advancing carbon recycling, material reuse, and energy management. The carbon capture device will integrate the company’s control and energy management technologies to optimize its operational efficiency. It added the device will also be installed at its factory to help achieve carbon neutrality goals.

Industrial Technology Research Institute Deputy Director Hu Jwu-sheng (胡竹生) said this is the first time Taiwan has partnered with a foreign entity on carbon capture technology. He noted that ITRI will continue developing new technologies to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

In October 2022, ITRI collaborated with Formosa Plastics Group, National Cheng Kung University, and Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology to establish Taiwan's first carbon capture and reuse demonstration site. The facility is capable of capturing 36 tonnes of carbon annually and converting it into 12 tonnes of methane.

In 2011, the institute also teamed up with Taiwan Cement Corp. to use calcium oxide as a carbon capture agent, with a daily capture capacity of approximately nine tonnes. The captured carbon is used to cultivate microalgae, which are subsequently processed into nutritional supplements.