Canada's Svante acquires Carbon Alpha to expand CCS portfolio

This transaction strengthens Svante’s expertise in geological CO2 storage as part of a fully integrated carbon management company ready to build, own, and operate all elements of the CCS value chain from source to sink. Svante’s combined offering now includes a portfolio of engineering solutions for carbon capture and removal across various market segments and a major CO2 storage hub asset in Western Canada.

“…we’re accelerating the delivery of high integrity CDR credits at commercial scale in partnership with the MLTC leadership, who is closely coordinating with us on the North Star Project.” Claude Letourneau, President & CEO, Svante

Carbon Alpha’s North Star Project will add carbon capture and storage (BECCS) at the existing MLTC Bioenergy Centre, a forestry biomass cogeneration facility, permanently and safely storing captured biogenic CO2 deep underground in a saline aquifer measuring, monitoring and generating high-quality, durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits. MLTC represents nine First Nations in Saskatchewan. MLTC will be co-owner with Svante in the BECCS facility. Additionally, a new CO2 pipeline developed by Carbon Alpha will connect the capture facility to permanent geological storage southwest of Meadow Lake, SK. This major CO2 hub asset offers expansion opportunities to aggregate and service other biogenic CO2 emitters in the region.

The MLTC Bioenergy Centre generates renewable electricity and heat by burning sustainable waste biomass from the neighboring sawmill. Phase 1 of the North Star Project will capture up to 140,000 tonnes of CO2 per year from the Bioenergy Centre’s flue gas (the main source of the facility’s biogenic CO2 emissions) and other onsite sources.

“This project is a game changer for Svante and a pivotal moment for scaling verifiable, durable engineered carbon removal solutions working in tandem with nature,” said Claude Letourneau, President & CEO of Svante. “By integrating Carbon Alpha’s team, we’re accelerating the delivery of high integrity CDR credits at commercial scale in partnership with the MLTC leadership, who is closely coordinating with us on the North Star Project.”

“Today marks an important milestone for Carbon Alpha as we join forces with Svante Development. Our mission has been to accelerate high-integrity carbon dioxide removal through the development of scalable, durable BECCS projects. Joining with a globally respected and well capitalized organization strengthens our ability to advance that mission with greater scale, certainty, and impact,” said Simon Bregazzi, former CEO of Carbon Alpha.

“The Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) is excited to embark on the next stage of the North Star BECCS Project, in partnership with Svante and Carbon Alpha. North Star provides economic development, full-cycle carbon sustainability, and added value to MLTC’s existing green energy infrastructure and forestry-based operations. It enables the MLTC First Nations to create ongoing economic development, jobs, environmental leadership and optimism for our people,” said Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman of MLTC.

The next steps for this advanced carbon capture project will be to conduct a FEED (front end engineering design) study and test well drilling campaign. The lease of the space and test well license have already been obtained. The final investment decision (FID) for the project is expected in Q1-2027.

Transaction Highlights

• Business Unit integration: Carbon Alpha’s team and North Star BECCS project (Meadow Lake, SK), have become part of Svante Development Inc.
• Indigenous partnership: Svante reaffirms North Star’s partnership model with MLTC, prioritizing local jobs, skills development, and enduring economic benefits for participating First Nations.
• Standards & integrity: North Star remains aligned to Puro.earth’s Geologically Stored Carbon methodology pathway and will continue to advance a rigorous MRV framework.
• Schedule: FID is expected in Q1-2027. An updated development and commissioning schedule will be established following test drilling program, permitting and regulatory approvals.

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ALCHEMPro News Desk (JP)