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Brineworks, a forward-thinking Dutch startup, has recently secured a €1.8 million grant from the European Innovation Council, marking a significant leap in its mission to commercialize an innovative electrolyser system. This cutting-edge technology uniquely captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere while simultaneously generating green hydrogen. The grant was awarded in one of the EIC’s most competitive rounds, which saw only 71 winners selected from over 1,200 applicants, underscoring the project's potential impact.

The funding will facilitate Brineworks' inaugural full-scale pilot project. At the heart of their system is a patented electrolyser designed for variable operation, adept at harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

This sustainable approach uses low-cost, readily available materials and leverages seawater electrolysis, allowing for the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere while producing hydrogen. Together, these outputs can be transformed into synthetic fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel and e-methanol.

Dr. Joseph Perryman, Brineworks' co-founder and chief technology officer, has highlighted the company's achievement of capturing costs below €100 per metric ton—an important milestone that the carbon removal industry has long sought. This accomplishment not only suggests a feasible pathway to affordable carbon capture but also signals the beginning of a scale-up phase that could redefine industry standards.

With ambitions to deploy modular units for widespread carbon dioxide removal, Brineworks aims to position itself as a leader in dual-use climate technology, providing both effective carbon capture and clean hydrogen solutions. Amid a landscape where many electrochemical direct air capture concepts remain confined to laboratory settings or rely on speculative cost projections, Brineworks' progress toward commercial viability sets it apart as a promising player in the fight against climate change.