Mining the Atmosphere
Researchers at Empa are developing new materials and technologies to efficiently capture CO₂ from the atmosphere, convert it into materials, products, and goods, and thus utilize it over the long term. The goal is to combine climate protection with industrial applications.
What if CO₂ weren’t a problem for the climate, but a raw material for the world of tomorrow? In the “Mining the Atmosphere” research initiative, Empa is investigating how excess CO₂ can be extracted from air, water, or biomass and converted into useful materials.
Learn firsthand what more than 150 researchers at Empa are working on to make this vision of a CO₂-sequestering society a reality. Material samples from Empa’s laboratories, short animated videos, and molecular models illustrate the wide range of research approaches—from high-performance membranes for CO₂ capture from the air to conversion technologies and applications in building materials such as concrete, insulation, and road pavements, all of which store carbon over the long term.
Stop by, ask questions, and discover how a climate pest can become a resource for sustainable innovation.
Further information:
Removing accumulated CO2: Our atmosphere as a source of raw materials
Empa at the Scientifica 2026
