Innovating durable CO₂ removal through hydrochar subsurface storage (HyLock)

Switzerland’s net-zero law mandates the removal of 0.5 Mt CO₂ annually by 2030 and 2 Mt by 2050 domestically (12 Mt in total), yet no large-scale Swiss solutions exist. Meanwhile, demand for durable Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) is accelerating: buyers pre-purchase high-quality credits years in advance at premium prices, while global demand is projected to reach 200 Mt annually by 2030 and 6–10 Gt by 2050. This gap constitutes both an implementation challenge and a strategic economic opportunity. 

In our project we address this need with a unique “biomass-to-permanent-CDR” pathway. Through hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), wet biomass residues - an abundant and underutilised feedstock - is transformed into stable hydrochar and permanently stored in the subsurface. This approach valorises local biomass streams, avoids competition for valuable dry biomass, and generates measured, reported, and verified certified removal credits with high permanence. 

In this project, we deliver the world’s first full-scale pilot of hydrochar subsurface storage in Switzerland. By integrating engineered storage, continuous monitoring, laboratory testing, and a digital twin, the project will validate permanence, safety, and operational protocols; creating the scientific and technical foundation for certification and regulatory uptake.