Which Start-Ups are Leading in the Climate Tech Sector?
Climate tech is developing fast – there are around 300 carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in development worldwide, and the green hydrogen market is expected to grow nearly 20 times its 2024 size by 2033.
From sustainable hydrocarbons to manufacturing in space, start-ups are innovating new ways for humanity to reduce environmental impact and adapt to climate change.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres says preventing global warming past 1.5 degrees “will take a quantum leap in climate action".
“This is the moment for all G20 members to come together in a joint effort, pooling their resources and scientific capacities as well as their proven and affordable technologies through the public and private sectors to make carbon neutrality a reality by 2050,” he added
We’ve looked at some start-ups focussed on climate technologies that are breaking new ground in the sector.
OXCCU: Sustainable hydrocarbons
OXCCU is an Oxford University spin out founded by Andrew Symes and Jane Jin.
The company has developed a world-first one step technology that converts CO₂ and O₂ directly into jet fuel range hydrocarbons.
OXCCU has received funding from giant companies including Aramco, United Airlines and Trafigura.
The start-up hopes to use its technology to produce biodegradable plastics and petrochemical products alongside sustainable fuels.
Solavio Labs: Solar technologies
Solavio Labs is an Indian climate tech start-up founded in 2019.
The company has developed an innovative autonomous solar panel cleaning solution that uses artificial intelligence and robotics to increase the efficiency of solar power plants.
Solavio's technology addresses the significant problem of dust accumulation on solar panels, which can reduce energy output by up to 40% in arid regions.
Solavio Labs has received funding from notable companies including Techstars and Energia Ventures.
The start-up has also been recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the Top 100 Technology Pioneers of 2021.
Pani Energy: Water treatment
Founded in 2017, Pani Energy is a climate tech start-up that uses AI to optimise water treatment.
Pani Energy’s process can significantly improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
The company uses machine learning algorithms to analyse real-time data from water and wastewater treatment plants, providing actionable insights to operators and managers.
This technology can reduce energy usage by up to 20% and chemical consumption by up to 30% in water treatment facilities.
Pani has partnered with WABAG, the third largest private water operator globally, to make its operations more sustainable.
Recycleye: AI and robotics for waste management
Recycleye is a start-up founded by Victor Dewulf and Peter Hedley in 2019 to improve waste management.
The company has developed a cutting-edge artificial intelligence and robotics system that automates the process of waste sorting, significantly improving recycling efficiency and purity.
The company's flagship product, Recycleye Vision, uses advanced computer vision and machine learning algorithms to identify and categorise different types of waste materials at high speed and accuracy.
Recycleye is working with leading companies including TotalEnergies.
Space Forge: manufacturing in space
Space Forge is a Cardiff-based start-up founded in 2018.
The company has developed a world-first returnable and reusable satellite platform called ForgeStar, designed for manufacturing next-generation super materials in space.
Space Forge is creating fully returnable satellites that can leverage the unique space environment, including microgravity, vacuum and extreme temperatures, to produce materials and products that are difficult or impossible to manufacture on Earth.
The start-up aims to use its technology to create high-efficiency semiconductors and other advanced materials that could significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in various industries.
Space Forge has secured partnerships with major aerospace companies, including Northrop Grumman Corporation, to explore future space-based manufacturing.
Steve Krein, Vice President of Civil and Commercial Space at Northrop Grumman, says: “Manufacturing in orbit has the potential to open a wide range of opportunities across multiple industrial sectors.
“As a global leader in space exploration and in-orbit servicing, we look forward to collaborating to further develop this emerging market.”
The company hopes to use its in-space manufacturing capabilities to produce materials that offer game-changing levels of performance and efficiency in power-hungry infrastructure and systems, potentially reducing the environmental impact of production on Earth by up to 75%.
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