Carbon Capture Firm Secures Nearly One Million Pounds to Scale Climate Technology

A carbon capture company based in the south of Scotland has secured close to one million pounds in public backing, providing a major boost to its plans to scale up operations and remove carbon emissions at industrial sites across the UK and Europe.

The funding comes from South of Scotland Enterprise and will support the expansion of The Carbon Removers, a firm headquartered near Crocketford. The investment is intended to act as a catalyst for further private fundraising as the company works toward an ambitious target of removing one million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year by 2030.

The Carbon Removers specialises in capturing and storing carbon dioxide released from organic industrial processes. These include fermentation, whisky distillation and biogas production, all of which naturally emit CO2 as part of their operations. By intercepting emissions at source, the company aims to prevent carbon from entering the atmosphere while supporting industries that are difficult to decarbonise fully.

Company executives say the funding marks a turning point. With early proof of concept established, the focus now shifts to rapid scaling and commercial deployment. The new backing will help finance engineering development, site expansion and the recruitment of specialist staff, while also strengthening the firm’s credibility with private investors.

South of Scotland Enterprise said the investment reflects the region’s growing role in clean energy and climate innovation. Officials highlighted the potential for carbon capture to create skilled jobs, attract inward investment and support rural industrial areas that are central to Scotland’s economy. They also emphasised that technologies focused on carbon removal will be critical to meeting long term climate targets.

Unlike some large scale carbon capture projects linked to fossil fuel infrastructure, The Carbon Removers focuses on organic emissions that are already part of food, drink and energy supply chains. Whisky distilleries, in particular, represent a significant opportunity in Scotland, where fermentation related emissions are substantial and concentrated at known locations.

Industry analysts say this approach could give the company a competitive edge. Capturing emissions from smaller, decentralised sites is technically challenging, but it allows for faster deployment and closer collaboration with local industries. It also avoids some of the political and environmental controversies associated with carbon capture tied to oil and gas production.

The nearly one million pound investment is designed to unlock additional funding rather than cover all future costs. The company plans to launch a major fundraising drive aimed at securing private capital from climate focused investors, infrastructure funds and strategic partners. Expansion into other parts of the UK and mainland Europe is already being explored.

Supporters argue that carbon removal technologies will be essential even as renewable energy expands. Many climate models suggest that cutting emissions alone will not be enough to meet net zero goals, making active removal of carbon dioxide increasingly important.

Critics caution that carbon capture should not become an excuse to delay emission reductions. The Carbon Removers says its work is complementary rather than substitutive, targeting unavoidable emissions while broader decarbonisation continues.

For the south of Scotland, the deal is being seen as a signal of growing confidence in the region’s innovation ecosystem. If the company succeeds in scaling its technology, it could place the area on the map as a hub for practical climate solutions.

With public backing secured and fundraising under way, the coming years will test whether the company can move from pilot projects to meaningful climate impact at scale.