Graphyte, a carbon removal start-up backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, today announced that American Airlines will be its inaugural customer, with the purchase of 10,000 tons of permanent carbon removal to be delivered in early 2025.

“This is a landmark agreement for both Graphyte and American Airlines,” said Barclay Rogers, CEO of Graphyte. “It demonstrates the growing demand for affordable and scalable high-quality carbon removal credits and the ability of Carbon Casting technology to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change in the very near term.”

Net-zero by 2050

American has a long-term goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and is investing in a variety of technologies to reduce its carbon footprint. While American’s focus is to reduce emissions within its operations, such as purchasing more efficient aircraft and using low carbon sustainable aviation fuel, it recognises that carbon credits will play a critical role in eliminating aviation’s residual emissions. With its purchase of carbon removal credits from Graphyte, American aims to accelerate and scale the CO₂ removal market.

“American is focused on accelerating new low-carbon technologies to reduce aviation’s climate impact,” said Jill Blickstein, Chief Sustainability Officer at American. “Hard to abate industries like aviation will need high-quality, permanent, affordable and scalable carbon credits, including removals, to achieve our emissions reduction goals. We are excited to work with Graphyte to help them scale their important new technology.”

This first commercial-scale deployment of Carbon Casting will take place at a Graphyte facility in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

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