NASA technology developed for harvesting carbon dioxide from the Martian atmosphere is now being used to capture CO2 from beer brewing and other industrial processes. The system, created through NASA Small Business Innovation Research contracts and later licensed by Earthly Labs, purifies fermentation CO2 for carbonation. Maine Beer Company adopted it after a 2021 CO2 shortage threatened its bottling and kegging lines. Earthly Labs has since expanded into wineries, distilleries, energy companies, and helium production. Chart Industries acquired the company in 2021 and is scaling the technology for power plants. For carbon markets and low-carbon industry, this is a concrete example of how compact carbon capture can reduce emissions and supply risk for mid-sized emitters.
