Spiritus Launches New Mexico Pilot Facility for Direct-Air-Capture Carbon Removal Operations in Collaboration with Nambé Pueblo

December 12, 2024 at 09:00 AM EST

Advancing real-world validation of novel sorbent technology, Spiritus creates high-skill jobs in New Mexico and continues momentum for carbon removal projects worldwide

Spiritus, the climate tech company developing cost-effective solutions for scalable direct air capture (DAC) carbon removal, today announced the launch of its first pilot facility. Located on Nambé Pueblo tribal land, the facility is expected to begin operations in the second half of 2025, and will be capable of delivering 1,000 tons of gross carbon removal capability when at full capacity — a stepping stone to Spiritus’ future megaton Carbon Orchards.

The pilot facility follows Spiritus' recent announcement of Garden One, the company’s first manufacturing site in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, which will produce the novel sorbent material that enables Spiritus to passively remove CO₂ from the atmosphere at greater rates of efficiency and cost effectiveness than previous methods. The New Mexico facility will pressure-test these technologies and demonstrate prototypical DAC operation of Spiritus’ full-scale Carbon Orchards. The flagship project with geological sequestration in Wyoming, called Orchard One, will further demonstrate the scalability and commercialization of the company’s innovative technology and approach to carbon removal at scale.

The pilot facility will bring high-skill, sustainable jobs to the area over the next few years, in addition to bolstering the local economy by supporting vendors and commissioning tradesmen. The Nambé Pueblo Development Corporation provided the facility, completed instrumental infrastructure enhancements, and has offered valuable insights and recommendations regarding trusted vendors and services. This has been an impactful partnership in efforts to protect the environment.

“Nambé Pueblo Development Corporation (NPDC) is fortunate to have come across a company whose mission aligns so closely with our cultural and spiritual responsibilities to protect and enhance our environment where possible,” said Carlos O. Vigil, Nambé Pueblo Development Corporation President Act. CEO. “We welcome Spiritus to our NPDC family and hope that the economic benefits of their presence will extend to our Pueblo and our surrounding communities of Northern New Mexico.”

“As we advance toward the launch of Orchard One, establishing this pilot facility at Nambé Pueblo is an important step to validate our technology in demanding real-world conditions,” said Matt Lee, CTO and co-founder of Spiritus. “This site will serve as both a proving ground for large scale CO₂ capture and a model for responsible, community-centered operations. We’re deeply grateful to the people of Nambé Pueblo for partnering with us to drive meaningful progress in carbon removal on their land.”

Senator Martin Heinrich, who has championed New Mexico’s role in sustainable energy and carbon management, also voiced his support for the project. “Spiritus’ pilot facility demonstrates New Mexico’s leadership in direct air capture technology and leverages our state’s innovation,” said Senator Heinrich. “This project brings sustainable, high-skill jobs to our communities and positions New Mexico as a key player in the future of large-scale carbon sequestration, creating new economic opportunities while advancing climate solutions that benefit us all.”

To learn more about how Spiritus is driving scalable, cost-effective carbon removal, please visit spiritus.com.

About Spiritus

Spiritus is a climate tech company at the forefront of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. With a dedication to innovation and sustainable stewardship of our environment, Spiritus has crafted a unique solution that achieves rapid sorption and desorption rates at a fraction of the sorbent cost versus state-of-the-art sorbents under passive DAC conditions. The company's approach combines the Spiritus Sorbent and the Spiritus Carbon Orchard, offering a scalable and modular system for low-cost DAC and sequestration (DAC+S). Spiritus is committed to making carbon removal an accessible and practical tool in the global fight against climate change. For more information, visit Spiritus.com.