Langh Tech announced that it expands its portfolio of exhaust gas treatment solutions for ships by creating a system for onboard carbon capture (OCC).
As announced, a feature of the system is the possibility to sell and utilize the sodium carbonate, which results at the end of the chemical process, for diverse applications in other industries. A pilot project with an OCC installation onboard of one ship of sister company Langh Ship was successfully run in test-mode during 2024. The pilot plant has shown that it is possible to capture rates over 80 percent from the exhaust gas flow coming into the system. The overall CO2-emissions can be reduced at least by 20 to 30 percent, depending on the available space, and other ship and product specifications.
Furthermore, the first commercial installations will take place early in 2025 onboard of four bulk carriers. Langh Tech has sold the OCC components to Damen Shipyards Group, who will do the installation on the bulk carriers. The ships will be equipped with a hybrid scrubber and an additional onboard carbon capture system from Langh Tech.
The installations by Langh Tech are part of a project between Atal Solutions, BAM Shipping and Damen Shipyards Group. It aims at retrofitting ships with different technologies and to reduce fuel consumption to achieve a maximum reduction in CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, while using traditional fuels. The ultimate project goal is to bring CO2 emissions down by up to 60 percent with onboard carbon capture.
This could be achieved through the continuous development of the system itself, as well as optimizing other limiting factors, such as installation size and onboard space, ship efficiency, loading and operations, or voyage planning.
In addition, Rutger van Dam, Business Development Manager, Damen Shipyards Group, explained that the decision to choose Langh Tech was simple. CO2 capturing is the only economic way to drastically reduce emissions as of now. His main concern was the value of the CO2 end product being created onboard the ship. Van Dam stated that Langh Tech delivered on every front: a high capture rate, a high-value CO2 end product, and a significant reduction in emissions. From a commercial perspective, it made perfect sense.
On a personal note, we share the same vision and goal: to greenify the global fleet. That alignment made Langh Tech the natural choice.
…said Rutger van Dam.
Edwin Sieswerda, Founder and CEO, Atal Solutions, commented that this partnership with Damen Shipyard Group and Langh Tech showcases how innovative collaboration drives meaningful change. Atal’s vision and willingness to embrace bold solutions demonstrate how the company can address the challenges of decarbonization while unlocking economic and environmental benefits for the maritime sector.
By investing in Langh Tech’s onboard carbon capture technology, we’re not just setting a new benchmark for sustainable shipping—we’re also paving the way for future projects and ongoing transformation in the industry. It’s a big leap, but one that aligns with our shared commitment to building a more sustainable future.
…said Sieswerda.
Carbon capture as a vital tool for decarbonizing shipping
Carbon capture is emerging as a key technology in the transition of shipping towards net-zero as it provides a cost-effective addition to other decarbonisation options. Langh Tech is one of the first movers within the industry.
“Our onboard carbon capture solution gives shipowners and operators the possibility to decarbonize and balance their costs. The scarcity and significantly higher costs of carbon-neutral fuels are a substantial hurdle to the decarbonisation of shipping. It will take time until those fuels can be widely used and afforded. We are here to bridge this gap and help companies to decarbonize efficiently and according to their abilities”, says Laura Langh-Lagerlöf, Commercial Director of Langh Tech.
“At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the captured CO2 can also be used in the production of biofuels and synthetic fuels. Thus, our technology – if applied smartly – contributes to a green-fuel transition by setting up a circular economy.”
Moreover, Langh Tech’s onboard carbon capture system is based on the long-standing experience of the company in exhaust gas treatment and applies a post-combustion technique. In short, the ship’s exhaust gases containing CO2 are directed into a capture unit.
CO2 dissolves into the liquid phase through counter-currently flowing aqueous NaOH solution. A maximized surface area ensures highest possible carbon capture rates. As a result of several consecutive reactions, CO2 is chemically bound into a thermodynamically stable product of sodium carbonate.
