Climate Insider Brief:
- KC8 Capture Technologies, founded in 2021, secured $10 million in funding from Woodside and Cemex Ventures.
- This investment aims to expand the team and accelerate deployment of its carbon capture solutions across industries like construction, steel, energy, and chemicals.
- Despite initial scepticism, KC8 asserts its technology can capture up to 95% of CO2 emissions from heavy industries at 50% lower cost than existing methods, with a 15% energy consumption reduction.
As reported by Startup Daily, in a significant development towards advancing carbon capture technology, KC8 Capture Technologies, a startup founded in 2021, has secured $10 million in funding. This investment, supported by prominent entities like Woodside and Cemex Ventures, marks a pivotal moment for the company in its mission to revolutionise emissions reduction in hard-to-abate industries.
The funding infusion will primarily fuel KC8’s efforts in expanding its team and accelerating the deployment of its innovative carbon capture solutions across diverse sectors including construction, steel manufacturing, energy production, and chemical processing.
Despite scepticism surrounding the efficacy of carbon capture as a solution for emissions reduction, KC8 asserts its technology’s capability to capture up to 95% of CO2 emissions from heavy industrial sources. Remarkably, this is achieved at a 50% lower cost compared to existing acid gas removal methods, with a 15% reduction in energy consumption.
Central to KC8’s breakthrough is a proprietary, non-toxic solvent designed to treat exhaust gases under low pressure and high volumes, optimising cost efficiency. Currently transitioning into commercial demonstration phases, KC8’s solution is undergoing rigorous testing in cement kiln and gas turbine flue gases.
Operating from its headquarters in Melbourne, KC8 has expanded its footprint with offices in Perth and the United States. The startup is actively collaborating with industry leaders to implement its technology at scale. In Australia, a partnership with Cement Australia is underway to establish a commercial demonstration plant in Gladstone, Queensland, aimed at capturing over 100 tons of CO2 per day. Similarly, in Mexico, KC8 is collaborating with Cemex to integrate its solutions into cement production processes.
Commenting on the potential impact of KC8’s technology, Woodside’s VP of carbon solutions, Jayne Baird, emphasised its significance in supporting the energy sector’s transition to lower carbon emissions. “As a global energy company, we understand the imperative to innovate and develop efficient, cost-effective solutions for sustainable energy production,” said Baird. “KC8’s advancements are pivotal in enabling technological innovation towards this goal.”
Greg Ross, Director of KC8 Capture Technologies, underscored the company’s commitment to providing sustainable and economically viable solutions for large-scale emissions abatement. “Our mission is clear: to offer industries lacking clear pathways to emission reduction the most effective means of achieving environmental sustainability,” Ross affirmed.
With ongoing projects in Australia and the United States, including collaboration with the Department of Energy’s National Carbon Capture Center, KC8 is poised to play a transformative role in global efforts to combat climate change. As the demand for innovative carbon capture solutions intensifies, KC8 Capture Technologies stands at the forefront, poised to redefine the future of industrial emissions management.
SOURCE: Startupdaily
Featured Image: Credit: KC8 Technologies
