UK Expertise Targeted for Asia Pacific Carbon Storage
A new study maps UK carbon capture capabilities to the growing demand for regional storage infrastructure by 2035.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Energy
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Xodus has released a commissioned report detailing how United Kingdom carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) expertise can address industrial infrastructure needs in the Asia Pacific region. The study aims to bridge technical and regulatory gaps to help the region manage its significant share of global CO2 emissions.
Why it matters
The Asia Pacific region is responsible for over half of global CO2 emissions and requires rapid development of technical and regulatory frameworks to move projects from potential to investment. Integrating established expertise from the UK could accelerate the deployment of large-scale transport and storage infrastructure.
The Asia Pacific CCUS market is projected to reach £187.8 billion by 2035. This growth is contingent on scaling storage capacity, with export volumes expected to rise from 83 million tonnes in 2030 to 145 million tonnes five years later.
The players
Xodus
An energy consultancy firm specializing in advisory services and engineering for subsea and carbon management infrastructure projects.
UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
The government body responsible for fostering industrial growth and promoting UK technical expertise in international trade markets.
The details
The study focuses on aligning regional CCUS challenges with UK industry capabilities in subsurface appraisal—the analysis of geological formations for carbon storage—and the engineering of CO2 transport infrastructure. It highlights that while countries like Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Australia already maintain established CCUS legislation, others require further regulatory development. The framework aims to support regional efforts to validate storage sites and manage the technical complexities of moving captured gas to suitable reservoirs in locations such as Indonesia.
Timeline
2030: Seven countries are projected to export 83 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
2035: Nine countries are projected to export 145 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
The Tech Race
This assessment aligns with the broader international race to establish secure carbon supply chains across the Asia Pacific. It positions UK engineering firms as key partners for nations currently building the necessary legal and technical frameworks to dominate regional storage.
This development primarily affects the industrial sector and regional energy policy, with potential downstream impacts on the cost of carbon-intensive goods. While no direct consumer products are involved, the maturation of these markets will influence regional energy investment portfolios through 2035.
The takeaway
The trajectory of the Asia Pacific carbon market depends on successful technology transfer and the harmonization of regional storage regulations. Watch for new cross-border permitting agreements in 2026 as these nations work to convert their storage potential into the projected £187.8 billion industry.
Further reading
For broader context on current decarbonization efforts, see the latest updates in Energy.
More information
Read the full APAC CCUS regional assessment report for technical methodology and market data.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Engineerlive.
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