Carbon capture, utilization & storage (CCUS) presents a promising solution to mitigate the impact of climate change by capturing carbon emissions from industrial processes and storing them underground or converting them into useful products. With the increasing pressure to meet net-zero emissions targets, governments and companies are recognizing the value of CCUS and startups are playing a critical role in driving innovation and commercialization of CCUS technologies. However, there are still challenges to overcome including its high cost of implementation. Read on to explore 20 carbon capture, utilization & storage startups that are set to advance circular economy in 2024.
20 Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage Startups to Watch (2024)
- Greenlyte Carbon Technologies (GCT) – Low-energy Direct Air Capture (DAC)
- CREW Carbon – Natural Carbon Removal
- Airhive – Fluidization-based CO2 Sequestration System
- Airbuild – CO2 Sequestration Panels
- Everest Carbon – Enhanced Weathering
- Meloon – Graphene-based CO2 Removal
- Carbonaide – CO2 Utilization & Storage in Concrete
- Arbon Earth – Algae-based CO2 Sequestration
- CyanoCapture – Biological Carbon Fixation
- Sustaera – Renewable Energy-based CO2 Removal
- Capture6 – Carbon in Mineralized Form
- NeoCarbon – Renewable Energy-based CO2 Removal
- Parallel Carbon – Cost-Effective Carbon Capture
- CarbonWorks – Microalgae-based CO2 Capture
- Silicate – Carbon to Concrete
- Qaptis – In-situ Carbon Capture
- RepAir – On-site CO2 Utilization & Storage
- RedoxNRG – CO2 to Green Chemicals
- Nellie Technologies – Carbon Capture as a Service
- Mantel – Heavy Industry CO2 Emissions
Global Startup Heat Map highlights 20 Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage Startups
Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 3 790 000+ startups & scaleups globally, we identified 630 CCUS startups. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 20 CCUS startups you should watch in 2024 as well as the geo-distribution of all CCUS startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.
Based on the heat map, we see high startup activity in Europe and the USA, followed by India. These CCUS startups work on solutions ranging from natural carbon removal and low-energy DAC to enhanced weathering and C02 sequestration panels.
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As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant technologies and industry trends quickly & exhaustively. Based on the data from the platform, the Top 20 CCUS Startup Hubs are in London, New York, Berlin, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The 20 hand-picked startups highlighted in this report are chosen from all over the world and develop solutions for graphene-based carbon removal, CO2 sequestration panels, low-energy DAC, and much more.
Meet 20 Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage Startups to Watch (2024)
Greenlyte Carbon Technologies (GCT) advances Low-energy DAC
German startup Greenlyte Carbon Technologies (GCT) builds a low-energy DAC system that turns ambient air into green hydrocarbons. The process involves the absorption of the air in a liquid sorbent solution and precipitation as hydrogen carbonate.
It is followed by desorption either through alkaline water electrolysis, which produces hydrogen as a byproduct, or through thermal, low calorific waste heat. Thus, GCT not only removes atmospheric CO2 using minimum energy but also produces green hydrogen, further enabling circular economy.
CREW Carbon simplifies Natural Carbon Removal
USA-based startup CREW Carbon enables carbon extraction using naturally occurring minerals. These minerals, specifically carbonate rocks, undergo weathering, converting atmospheric CO2 into bicarbonate. This bicarbonate, a stable carbon form, persists in aquatic environments for extended periods. The process requires three primary components — water, carbon dioxide, and carbonate rock. Adjusting their ratios accelerates carbon removal from millennia to hours.
CREW employs specific systems to combine these elements, optimizing carbon extraction. Its patented carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and measurement, reporting & verification (MRV) sensors, in conjunction with geochemical dissolution models, monitor real-time carbon chemistry in water. This technology seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure, facilitating effective CO2 removal and accurate measurement.
Airhive builds a Fluidization-based CO2 Sequestration System
UK-based startup Airhive develops JD002, a CO2 capture system based on fluidization. The startup uses naturally carbon-absorbing rock minerals and increases their capacity to uptake CO2 by reforming them into small particles with very high surface areas.
Airhive’s JD002 consists of two components — a capture system (reactor) and a calciner. Fans blow air vertically into the reactor. Whereas, the sorbent rapidly captures the CO2 in the air. Carbonated sorbent is transferred to the calciner and stripped of CO2. Finally, the purified CO2 is stored and the sorbent is recycled back to the capture system,
Airbuild makes CO2 Sequestration Panels
Airbuild is a USA-based startup that enables carbon sequestration on commercial buildings. Its product, Plant Panel, uses algae to filter air and sequester CO2 emissions, while also acting as solar panels generating electricity. Airbuild integrates the internet of things (IoT) technology to offer real-time data reporting on carbon offsets. Additionally, the startup provides various installation options including roof mounts and side panels.
Everest Carbon advances Enhanced Weathering
USA-based startup Everest Carbon specializes in carbon dioxide removal through the application of rock powder. Utilizing enhanced weathering technology, the company accelerates Earth’s natural carbon cycle to capture CO2. Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) amplifies the natural carbon cycle on a significant scale.
The process not only captures CO2 but also improves soil health and increases crop yields. Cations and sequestrated CO2 flow to the ocean, restoring its natural pH. It then turns into carbonates and falls into the ocean floor, leading to permanent CO2 storage.
Meloon provides Graphene-based CO2 Removal
Meloon is a startup from Germany that makes a nanoporous graphene-based CO2 separation membrane, Magic Filter. Since the CO2 permeability of a membrane is inversely proportional to the thickness of the layer, Meloon uses single-layer graphene, which has the thickness of only one atom.
This filter effectively separates the molecules of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide post-combustion. Thus solving the energy and cost-related problems of solvent-based CO2 purification technologies.
Carbonaide enables CO2 Utilization & Storage in Concrete
Based out of Finland, Carbonaide is a startup that carbonizes pre-cast concrete, emphasizing sustainable CO2 value chains. This method is compatible with cement mixtures, enabling reduced cement consumption. By mineralizing CO2 into concrete, the technology diminishes the overall carbon footprint.
Moreover, Carbonaide’s carbon curing technology produces carbon-negative concrete. When combined with low carbon footprint binders, the concrete’s carbon footprint becomes negative. Hence, this positions precast plants as potential carbon sinks.
Arbon Earth offers Algae-based CO2 Sequestration
Arbon Earth is a Swedish startup that makes a carbon capture solution, Oceanpod. It removes CO2 from the atmosphere and stores it in the seabed by cultivating fast-growing algae. The product consists of two parts — one that keeps the Oceanpod floating, with the lifting force decreasing over time. The second part is a biodegradable rope on which the algae grows.
The algae is grown on ropes offshore and eventually sinks below the surface as it becomes fully grown, thus binding the carbon in the seabed for long periods. In addition to carbon sequestration, Oceanpod serve as fish nurseries by providing habitat on the ropes and after sinking.
CyanoCapture enables Biological Carbon Fixation
UK-based startup CyanoCapture develops a plug-and-play photobioreactor that uses Synechococcus, a type of photosynthetic bacteria for energy-efficient carbon capture. The startup’s solution captures CO2 without the need for expensive catalysts or sorbents.
The process involves bubbling raw flue gas through special containers where the bacteria quickly absorb CO2 and convert it into biomass and biological oils. Moreover, the solution’s modular design enables scalability, adjusting carbon removal capacity to specific emission site needs.
Sustaera offers Renewable Energy-based CO2 Removal
Sustaera is a USA-based startup that builds a modular carbon removal system, DAC 2.0. Its direct air capture (DAC) technology uses clean electricity to eliminate new emissions. The solution operates in diverse environments — open grasslands to arid deserts to tropical savannas, ensuring consistent performance.
The modular design enables continuous operation and efficient land use. Moreover, Sustaera leverages existing supply chains for rapid technology deployment. This approach ensures efficient scalability and resource utilization.
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Capture6 arrests Carbon in Mineralized Form
US-based startup Capture6 develops a permanent and irreversible carbon removal solution. The startup uses a direct air capture (DAC) system that adheres to its SPACERS framework. It requires the capturing of carbon dioxide (CO2) from ambient air and storage in mineralized form.
Capture6 stores CO2 as mineral carbonates like calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate. These stable carbonates avoid the risk of leakage and minimize the impact on local ecosystems. The solution avoids the risks posed by geological CO2 storage solutions in the form of water and soil contamination.
NeoCarbon offers Retrofit DAC Technology
German startup NeoCarbon offers a retrofit DAC technology for industrial applications. The startup uses existing infrastructure in the form of cooling towers to perform DAC. NeoCarbon develops DAC kits that are installed or retrofitted to cooling towers.
This process utilizes the massive amounts of air moving through cooling towers to remove CO2 at very low additional cost and time. The startup’s technology thus leverages the current infrastructure without impacting its original functionality to capture CO2 directly from the air.
Parallel Carbon enables Cost-Effective Carbon Capture
UK-based startup Parallel Carbon develops a carbon removal technology that removes atmospheric CO2 while producing hydrogen to eliminate emissions. The startup offers a cost-effective carbon management solution by combining geomimicry with electrochemistry.
Parallel Carbon’s DAC system uses a mineral-based capture medium to absorb CO2. The solution also offers a proprietary electrolyzer that creates the acids and bases that aid the regeneration of this capture medium aiding sustainable operations. In addition, the startup also produces green hydrogen and other infrastructure materials as byproducts, facilitating an extra revenue stream.
CarbonWorks advances Microalgae-based C02 Capture
French startup CarbonWorks develops an industrial platform for CO2 capture by microalgal photosynthesis. The startup’s photobioreactor captures CO2 emissions from industrial sources and makes them available to photosynthetic microalgae.
These microalgae grow and produce molecules that serve as replacements for fossil-based compounds. CarbonWorks thus enables industrial players to convert their CO2 emissions into efficient and safe raw materials on a large scale. In this way, the startup reduces the consumption of agricultural land and water, preserving biodiversity.
Silicate enables Carbon to Concrete
Silicate is an Irish startup that develops a proprietary material that enhances the mineral weathering of concrete to capture carbon. The startup processes returned and demolished concrete to amplify its sequestration potential. The innovative material chemistry allows concrete to weather much more quickly than other rocks and minerals.
This aids in the permanent removal of excess CO2 from the atmosphere by depositing it on agricultural fields. The material also improves crop productivity through pH amendment and ameliorates plants’ natural resistance to herbivory all while facilitating CO2 capture.
Qaptis offers In-situ Carbon Capture
Swiss startup Qaptis provides a plug-in technology to capture CO2 emissions directly at their sources. The startup’s retrofit solution for heavy-duty trucks captures CO2 directly from the exhaust gas, liquefies it, and stores it on board.
The captured CO2 is then unloaded in fixed intervals for valorization into building materials, synthetic fuels, and plastics. In this way, the solution turns trucks into low-emission vehicles with low upfront costs and no drastic infrastructure changes.
RepAir facilitates On-site CO2 Utilization & Storage
RepAir is an Israeli startup developing an innovative electrochemical device that utilizes electricity to separate CO₂ from the air. The startup’s unique selective membrane under the influence of electricity separates CO2 from a stream of atmospheric air.
The clean air then goes back to the atmosphere while the pure CO2 streams are either utilized or stored. The modularity and scalability of the solution allow it to be located at the point of utilization or storage. This minimizes energy requirements and makes it a low-cost carbon capture solution.
RedoxNRG converts CO2 to Green Chemicals
Estonian startup RedoxNRG utilizes renewable energy to electrochemically capture CO2 from the atmosphere. The startup’s CO2 capture device concentrates CO2 through a series of electrochemical activations and deactivations. The device further converts CO2 into formic acid through electrolysis.
This formic acid serves as a reagent of chemical synthesis, hydrogen storage, and fuel for formic acid fuel cells. The solution directly transforms CO2 into carbon-neutral fuels and chemicals without complex handling, storage, or transportation drastically. RedoxNRG thus offers a highly energy-efficient and cost-effective carbon capture solution.
Nellie Technologies offers Carbon Capture as a Service
UK-based startup Nellie Technologies offers a carbon capture product that uses biotechnology to arrest CO2 straight from the air and from gaseous industrial emissions. The startup’s organic bioreactor, Nellie Cell has its proprietary growth medium and Controlled Growth Environment (CGA).
The bioreactor allows the sequestering of a commercially viable volume of carbon dioxide directly from ambient air. The startup’s end-to-end solution is highly modular and scalable permitting flexible installations and enabling industrial operations at any scale to mitigate their carbon emissions.
Mantel captures Heavy Industry CO2 Emissions
US-based startup Mantel develops a molten-salt-based carbon capture technology for industrial applications. The startup uses the liquid-phase chemistry of molten borates to cycle between carbon capture and release indefinitely without deterioration or decay.
By operating at around 600 deg C the heat generated in the capture process enables recovery as high-quality heat reducing energy losses. The solution in this way facilitates highly efficient carbon capture for energy-intensive operations.
Discover All Emerging CleanTech Startups
The carbon capture, utilization & storage startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free CleanTech Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2024!
