SWISS Becomes First Airline to Support Neustark’s Carbon Removal Technology
August 26, 2025 — By Vasil Velev
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has taken a significant step forward in its sustainability efforts by becoming the first airline to back the innovative carbon removal technology developed by Swiss climate tech start-up, neustark. This new partnership, announced on Tuesday, marks a multi-year agreement wherein SWISS will finance a segment of neustark’s expansion across Europe.
Pioneering Carbon Removal Through Mineralization
Neustark specializes in a groundbreaking process called mineralization, which permanently locks atmospheric CO2 into recycled concrete and mineral waste products. This method effectively prevents the captured carbon from reentering the atmosphere, offering a durable solution that supports long-term climate goals. Currently, neustark operates 38 carbon capture and storage sites in seven European countries, with plans to scale up to hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 removal in the near future.
A Strategic Move in Aviation Sustainability
SWISS, a member of the Lufthansa Group, has embraced a multifaceted climate strategy that integrates sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and investments in direct carbon capture and removal initiatives. Earlier this year, the airline enhanced collaborations with Swiss innovators Climeworks and Synhelion, focusing respectively on direct air capture and solar fuel technologies.
Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS, described the new partnership as an “early step toward scaling” essential carbon removal technologies. “Permanent CO2 removal is a key building block on the path to net zero in aviation,” he emphasized, highlighting the vital role of these technologies in decarbonizing an industry historically challenged by its carbon footprint.
Synergizing Aviation and Construction for Climate Impact
The alliance bridges two high-impact sectors—aviation and construction—by channeling captured carbon into durable construction materials. Valentin Gutknecht, co-founder of neustark, expressed optimism, noting that “pioneers like SWISS play a crucial role in further deploying our technology to permanently remove exponentially more tonnes of CO2 every single day.”
This collaboration underscores an accelerating trend, as other airlines globally explore partnerships with carbon removal firms. For instance, the U.S.-based direct air capture company 1PointFive has signed agreements with Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and easyJet, signaling growing industry interest in scalable carbon removal solutions.
Neustark’s Ascendant Trajectory
Following a $69 million funding round in June 2024 led by BlackRock and Temasek, neustark has bolstered its efforts to meet an ambitious goal of removing 1 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030. The company is also expanding its reach in the UK through a partnership with Aggregate Industries and is actively serving major clients at home in Switzerland. Notably, neustark committed to removing and storing 1,800 tonnes of CO2 for AXA Switzerland by 2030. Although financial terms of the SWISS agreement have not been disclosed, industry observers view this commitment as both a validation of neustark’s technology and a powerful signal of aviation’s evolving role in carbon management.
Looking Ahead
SWISS’s partnership with neustark exemplifies how airlines can drive progress in permanent carbon removal, an essential component of achieving net zero emissions. As the world grapples with climate challenges, such collaborations between diverse industries highlight innovative pathways toward a more sustainable future.
Image Credit: © 2025 Swiss International Air Lines / Neustark
Pictured: SWISS CEO Jens Fehlinger (left) and neustark founder and co-CEO Johannes Tiefenthaler (right)
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- Neustark Secures $69M To Scale Promising Carbon Removal Technology
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- Block Energy Advances Permanent Carbon Storage in Eastern Europe
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