Dutch-based ReCarbn is developing a machine that can capture CO2 from the atmosphere and process it into raw material. It involves so-called Direct Air Capture (DAC) Technology. With funding from VFF Overijssel, the startup can further develop their product.
The technology can capture CO2 from the outside air and process it into CO2 as raw material. "The CO2 is captured from the air with a filter, and at the end, you are left with pure CO2 gas. We think we can do that cheaper, faster, and more energy-efficiently than existing technologies," says Guus Dubbink, CEO of the company, which is a spin-off from the University of Twente.
The potential market for the raw material is companies that need CO2 for their primary process. "For instance, horticulture, chemical, and protein industries. A market is also emerging for 'negative emissions,' extracting CO2 from the outside air and storing it permanently. To start with, we focus on horticulture, where they can use the raw material to optimize plants and crops. With greenhouse growers, we can realize pilots relatively easily; they can blow the CO2 we capture directly into their greenhouses. The first iterations of our machine show promising results, now it is time for the next step."
Funding for new demonstration unit
Realizing a demonstration unit is one of the goals for which VFF Overijssel's funding will be used. "The plan is to work with a contractor from Overijssel to build a demonstration unit that we can test with potential customers. Developing a demo costs money, VFF Overijssel helps with that. In addition, we will improve the product based on interaction with potential customers," Dubbink explains. ReCarbn aims to capture 1 megaton of CO2 between now and 2035.
Sipke van der Meulen, investment manager of Energy & Circular at Oost NL: "ReCarbn is an example of an innovative company entering a relatively new market that we expect to grow strongly in the coming years. The promise of ReCarbn is huge, their product could contribute to reducing CO2 in the atmosphere, thus limiting global warming."
Oost NL manages VFF Overijssel, working closely with Novel-T. VFF Overijssel is partly made possible by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) and the province of Overijssel.
Source: OostNL