The objective of MATESA is to make a "proof of concept" of an adsorption technique termed Electric Swing Adsorption (ESA) as a new-generation high-efficiency post-combustion CO₂ capture process.

The energy consumption target is a thermal energy consumption of 2.5 GJ/(thermal)/ ton CO₂ avoided in ASC applications and  3.0 GJ(thermal)/ ton CO₂ avoided in NGCC applications (the difference is related to the CO₂ content in the exhaust gases). Other specifications of the process are that CO₂ purity should be higher than 95% and capture rate > 90%.

The overall performance will be optimized by Life Cycle Assessment to ensure reduced environmental impact of CCS.