Dutch Startup SeaO₂ Secures €2 Million to Extract CO2 from Oceans
Netherlands, Tuesday, 5 November 2024.
Amsterdam-based SeaO₂ has raised over €2 million to advance its innovative Direct Ocean Capture technology. The startup aims to remove 1 megaton of CO2 from seawater by 2030, potentially revolutionizing climate change mitigation efforts.
Innovative Technology for Climate Change Mitigation
SeaO₂, founded in 2021 by Ruben Brands, Rose Sharifian, and David Vermaas, is pioneering the use of Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology. This method focuses on extracting CO2 directly from seawater, returning carbon-free water to the ocean, thereby enhancing its natural ability to absorb atmospheric CO2. The company’s goal is ambitious: remove one megaton of CO2 by 2030 and reach one gigaton by 2045. Such targets underscore SeaO₂’s commitment to leveraging oceanic resources for global climate solutions[1][2].
Strategic Partnerships and Investment Support
To realize its vision, SeaO₂ has established strategic partnerships with organizations like XPRIZE Carbon Removal, TU Delft, and Klarna. The startup’s recent funding round, which secured over €2 million, was backed by prominent investors including DOEN Participaties, NEW-TTT fund, Future Tech Ventures, and CarbonFix. These investments are crucial for transitioning from prototype to a pilot plant, scheduled to launch in the summer of 2025 with an annual capacity of 250 tons of CO2. This phase will also implement comprehensive Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification systems to ensure the efficiency and accountability of their operations[2][3].
The Road to Large-Scale Carbon Removal
SeaO₂’s journey from concept to execution highlights the urgency of developing scalable carbon removal technologies. The startup’s participation in various accelerator programs, such as CEEZER and Blue Invest, reflects its proactive approach to scaling operations swiftly. CEO Ruben Brands emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, ‘This investment recognizes our team’s hard work and dedication… a crucial step towards our goal of removing a megaton of CO2 by 2030 and a gigaton by 2045.’ These efforts position SeaO₂ at the forefront of innovative climate solutions, addressing the inefficiencies of current carbon removal methods at the required scale[3][4].
A Future Focused on Sustainability
SeaO₂’s mission aligns with global efforts to combat climate change by advancing technologies that harness the ocean’s potential. Investors like DOEN Participaties stress the critical need for such innovations, recognizing the limitations of existing carbon removal techniques. With its robust network of partners and investors, SeaO₂ is poised to make significant strides in the fight against climate change, setting an example for other startups in the clean tech industry. As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, SeaO₂’s pioneering approach offers a beacon of hope for sustainable development[4].