Swiss-Canadian Carbon Capture Partnerships
Climeworks is Ramping Up Carbon Capture in Calgary
Colin Smith — April 4, 2026Climeworks has established its Canadian headquarters at Calgary’s Energy Transition Centre, positioning the city as a base for testing and scaling its direct air capture technology. The company selected Alberta due to its carbon management expertise, existing infrastructure and supportive regulatory environment. Several employees are already operating from the centre, with additional hiring planned. The next phase involves selecting a local site for cold‑weather testing, where a mobile direct air capture unit is expected to begin operations in fall 2026. This testing will generate performance data ahead of the development of a larger commercial‑scale facility.
Climeworks’ Calgary presence supports its broader plan to advance large‑scale carbon removal projects in Alberta. The company aims to prepare a series of initiatives ranging from technology testing to the groundwork for a commercial plant capable of removing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Alberta’s established carbon capture and storage options, combined with its energy infrastructure and skilled workforce, were cited as key factors in the company’s decision. The expansion contributes to a growing cluster of carbon‑management firms in the region and aligns with provincial ambitions to develop a competitive carbon removal industry.