MTR Carbon Capture: Advancing Scalable Membrane-Based Carbon Capture

MTR Carbon Capture provides scalable, commercially ready solutions As industries worldwide work toward meaningful emissions reductions, carbon capture has become an increasingly important part of the decarbonization conversation. Power generation, cement manufacturing, steel production, refineries, and waste-to-energy facilities all face the challenge of reducing carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining reliable operations. This is where MTR Carbon Capture is helping advance a new approach through membrane-based carbon capture technology.

MTR Carbon Capture provides scalable, commercially ready solutions designed to capture CO₂ directly from industrial flue gas. Its technology combines the Polaris™ membrane with the PolarCap™ process, creating a flexible approach for point-source carbon capture across multiple industries.

Why Carbon Capture Technology Matters

Reducing industrial carbon emissions is one of the major challenges in the transition toward a lower-carbon economy. While renewable energy and electrification can address emissions in many sectors, some industrial processes continue to generate significant CO₂ emissions.

Point-source carbon capture focuses on capturing CO₂ where it is produced, such as at power plants and industrial facilities. This approach can allow existing infrastructure to continue operating while adding technology designed to reduce emissions.

The challenge is developing capture capture storage systems that are effective without creating excessive energy, water, space, or operational requirements. Membrane-based technology offers an alternative pathway by separating gases through differences in pressure rather than relying on traditional solvent-based processes.

How MTR Carbon Capture Uses Membrane Technology

At the center of MTR Carbon Capture’s solution is the Polaris™ membrane, which was developed specifically for CO₂ capture applications. According to the company, the membrane has demonstrated the ability to capture more than 90% of CO₂ molecules directly from flue gas.

Unlike conventional solvent systems that can require significant steam and chemical handling, membrane systems separate CO₂ using pressure differences. MTR states that its technology requires no steam extraction for the capture process and does not use hazardous chemicals or produce VOC emissions.

This design can provide several potential advantages for industrial operators, including simplified operation, reduced water requirements, and a compact modular footprint.

Designed for Flexible Industrial Applications

One of the most important considerations for carbon capture is that industrial facilities are not identical. Different plants have different flue gas compositions, available space, operating conditions, and infrastructure requirements.

MTR Carbon Capture has developed its technology for a range of applications, including coal-fired power plants, natural gas facilities, cement and lime plants, steel plants, waste-to-energy facilities, and refineries.

The modular nature of Polaris™ can also be valuable for facilities where space is limited. For example, steel plants and refineries may have multiple emission sources and restricted areas available for new equipment. A modular capture system can provide greater flexibility when integrating carbon capture into existing operations.

A Scalable Approach to Decarbonization

Scalability is essential if carbon capture is going to make a meaningful contribution to industrial decarbonization. A technology that works at a small demonstration scale must ultimately be capable of operating reliably at larger facilities.

MTR Carbon Capture has progressed its membrane technology through multiple stages of development and field testing. Its website reports that Polaris™ is commercially available and ready for pilot and full-scale deployment.

A significant demonstration of this development is the membrane-based capture plant at Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Station in Wyoming. MTR reported that the 150-tonnes-per-day facility became operational and achieved a 90% capture rate while producing high-quality liquid CO₂.

The U.S. Department of Energy also identifies MTR’s large-pilot project as an effort to advance membrane-based post-combustion carbon capture technology at the Dry Fork Station.

Supporting Lower-Impact Industrial Operations

Carbon capture systems must do more than remove CO₂. Their own energy, water, and operational requirements can influence the overall environmental and economic performance of a project.

MTR Carbon Capture emphasizes reduced water consumption, no fossil fuel requirement for membrane operation, and the absence of hazardous chemicals in its capture process. Its technology is designed to separate CO₂ through pressure-driven membrane separation.

These characteristics can be particularly relevant for industries where water availability, operating costs, or limited plant space are important considerations.

The Future of Membrane-Based Carbon Capture

Membrane carbon capture solutions  is moving from research and development toward increasingly large commercial applications. Independent research published in the Journal of Membrane Science in 2026 noted that membrane carbon capture technology has matured toward commercial scale and highlighted MTR’s 150-tonne-per-day demonstration system as the world’s largest membrane capture system.

As industrial organizations evaluate different pathways to reduce emissions, technologies that offer scalability, flexibility, and efficient operation will become increasingly important.

For companies exploring point-source carbon capture, understanding the available technologies is an essential first step. MTR Carbon Capture offers a membrane-based approach centered on Polaris™ technology and designed for applications across multiple emission-intensive industries.