Amsterdam-based Brineworks has secured €6.8 million in funding. This funding is aimed at bringing their innovative Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology to market. The funding round was spearheaded by SeaX Ventures, with contributions from a variety of other investors, including Pale Blue Dot, First Momentum, AiiM Partners, Energie360°, and Katapult.
In addition to this funding, Brineworks has also been awarded a €1.8 million grant from the European Innovation Council’s Accelerator program, which is intended to support ground-breaking innovations. This grant will play a vital role in advancing their research and development efforts and help them pilot the deployment of their cutting-edge technology.
At the heart of Brineworks’ innovation lies a patented device known as an electrolyzer. This device enables the capture of carbon dioxide directly from the air at an ultra-low cost while also generating a significant amount of hydrogen. The dual production of hydrogen is essential, especially for industries such as aviation and shipping, which are in dire need of sustainable, carbon-neutral fuel alternatives. Aviation accounts for approximately 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and as the demand for air travel continues to grow, this percentage is forecasted to rise further. Similarly, the shipping industry contributes over 3% of emissions. Without advancements in technology, industries like these face daunting challenges when it comes to reducing their carbon footprints.
One of the most impressive features of Brineworks’ electrolyzer is its ability to operate intermittently. This flexibility means that it can adapt to fluctuating renewable energy sources without sacrificing efficiency. It represents a significant step forward in overcoming technical challenges that have long impeded the effective operation of Direct Air Capture technologies, particularly those relying on low-cost materials within a renewable energy grid.
Since its inception in late 2023, Brineworks has made remarkable strides, moving from an initial concept to a validated prototype in a short amount of time. The latest funding round will allow the company to scale its operations to a pilot level, with ambitious plans to achieve commercial readiness by the end of 2026. If the company reaches its targets, we may see airlines introducing carbon-neutral fuels into their flight operations before the decade concludes. This achievement would mark a crucial milestone in the ongoing pursuit of sustainable aviation solutions.
By integrating Brineworks’ DAC technology with methods for synthesizing e-fuels, countries could potentially become self-sufficient in their fuel production. This would require them to enhance their renewable energy capacities. Such developments could lead to greater energy independence, a notable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and localized fuel production. Ultimately, this could introduce a decentralized approach to the global transition toward cleaner energy sources, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
KEY QUOTES:
“It’s clear where the world is heading. Renewable energy is becoming cheaper faster than anyone predicted. The bottleneck now is technology that can use this power flexibly and affordably. That’s exactly what we’ve built — an electrolyzer that runs when the sun shines or the wind blows, and pauses when it doesn’t. We’re unlocking a dream that’s been out of reach for decades.”
Gudfinnur Sveinsson, CEO of Brineworks
“We envisioned the electrolyzer of the future — and now it’s here. With many long nights of work, we’ve proven a clear path to capturing CO₂ directly from air at below $100 per ton. That’s the threshold the world has been waiting for, and now the scale-up begins.”
Dr. Joseph Perryman, co-founder and CTO of Brineworks, who completed his postdoctoral research in electrochemistry at Stanford University
“At SeaX, we’re always looking for visionary founders solving massive problems with science-backed solutions, and Brineworks is exactly that. Their team is rethinking how we tackle carbon removal and clean fuel from the ground up, with an approach that’s as ambitious as it is necessary. This investment marks an inflection point for Brineworks, and we believe they have the potential to meaningfully reduce global emissions. Supporting them aligns directly with our goal of helping to cut 1% of the world’s carbon footprint—we’re proud to be part of their journey.”
Dr. Kid Parchariyanon, Founder and Managing Partner at SeaX Ventures
