New results achieved with proprietary, patented enzyme show potential to dramatically lower the cost of large-scale CO2 capture

CO2 Solution Inc. reports that it has achieved significant results when applying its patented genetically engineered and thermally optimised ‘5X’ carbonic anhydrase enzyme to CO2 capture with certain carbonate and amine absorbent solutions. In tests with low-energy absorbent solutions, the use of the enzyme increased the CO2 reaction rate by more than 50 fold. These results once again point to the potential of the enzyme to substantially lower the capital and operating costs for carbon capture from coal-fired power plants and other large industrial emitters.

The testing was carried out in collaboration with CO2 Solution’s process partner, Procede Group B.V., a leading chemical engineering firm. The Co-Founder of Procede, Dr. Geert Versteeg is also member of CO2 Solution’s Scientific Advisory Board. CO2 Solution will utilize these results towards its development of an optimized process for field testing, which it is planning to begin in Canada in 2010.

CO2 Solution is also pleased to announce that it has filed three new patent applications in the field of enzymatic carbon capture which it believes will have significant value by further expanding the range of application of its enzymatic technology in packed columns and other scrubbing systems. Amongst the patent applications, is a new enzyme delivery method which the Company believes will provide for further improvements in utilizing carbonic anhydrase for efficient CO2 capture.

Commenting on the results achieved and the new patent applications, Mr. Glenn Kelly, President & CEO stated: “In an environment where a cost-effective solution for CO2 capture is fundamental to the adoption of CCS technologies, these results show the significant potential for our technology. In line with this work, the new patent applications further secure our position as the leader in the application of carbonic anhydrase, especially given the recent increased level of industry interest surrounding its ability to lower CO2 capture costs.”

Dr. Geert Versteeg, Co-Founder of Procede Group also commented that “Based on the results, I am very excited about the potential for CO2 Solution’s enzymatic technology to outperform other techniques to accelerate the rate of CO2 absorption in carbonates and conventional, lower-energy amines. The technology points to the potential for material capital cost savings for these low-energy solvent processes at a large-scale, which is a significant industry challenge currently”.

Based in Quebec City, CO2 Solution Inc. has developed a proprietary bio-technological platform for the efficient capture of carbon dioxide (CO2), the most important greenhouse gas (GHG), from power plants and other large stationary sources of emissions. The Company’s technology platform exploits the natural power of a bio-catalyst (enzyme), carbonic anhydrase, which functions within humans and other mammals to manage CO2 during respiration. CO2 Solution has successfully adapted the enzyme to function within an industrial environment, and thus has taken advantage of a biomimetic approach to CO2 capture based on millions of years of evolution. The Company is commercializing its technology for coal fired power generation, the oil sands and other CO2-intensive industries where a low-cost capture solution is key to meeting climate change legislation in a cost effective manner.

CO2 Solution’s technology platform is protected by several North American and European patents, including the use of carbonic anhydrase for CO2 capture and release in a packed column system. News releases and additional information can be found at www.co2solution.com.

The HC900 Hybrid Controller will work in conjunction with Honeywell’s Profit Controller to optimize the plants’ air supply units and deliver greater energy-efficient temperature and humidity control within the paint finishing spray booths. Currently – in preparation for the rollout – feasibility studies are being conducted to assess the application of the HC900 Hybrid Controller platform in each plant.

The implementation follows a successful pilot project with Toyota in the UK, where energy use was reduced by 25% in the paint booths. This equated to a saving of 4% of the site’s total energy consumption. Toyota Motor UK expects to achieve a full return on its investment in less than two years.

“This is a strategically significant project as we continuously aim to improve our environmental performance of our production sites around Europe,” said Timothy Waltniel, production senior engineer, Toyota Motor Europe. “We partnered with Honeywell because it had the technical ability to actually realize the theoretical solution to a kaizen (improvement) opportunity we had identified in the painting process.”

“Car manufacturers around the world are facing the challenge of not only building cars that are more environmentally friendly, but ensuring that their manufacturing operations are equally responsible,” said Paul Brice, director of Advanced Solutions, Honeywell Process Solutions Europe, Middle East and Africa. “This is the first application of its type anywhere in the world and we are very proud to be part of it. We’ve worked hard to ensure that our solutions and the expertise of our people can help automakers like Toyota meet similar challenges in the years ahead.”

For more information about Honeywell’s HC900 Hybrid Controller, Profit Controller and other solutions that improve business performance, visit www.honeywell.com/ps.

Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com. Honeywell Process Solutions is part of Honeywell’s Automation and Control Solutions group, a global leader in providing product and service solutions that improve efficiency and profitability, support regulatory compliance, and maintain safe, comfortable environments in homes, buildings and industry. For more information about Process Solutions, access www.honeywell.com/ps.