The Climate tech start-up C1 raised growth capital from Maersk Growth, the Venture Capital Arm of Møller – Maersk, to faster scale their ultra-efficient catalysis, which will enable the mass production of green methanol.
Besides the ability to function as a carbon-based feedstock for various chemical products, green methanol is the most tangible low-carbon bunker fuel alternative to oil for container vessels today, said Maersk.
We are proud to have partnered with the global pioneer in green shipping in an industry where many fear a first-mover disadvantage. The 19 methanol-enabled container ships they have ordered already are a strong advanced buying signal into the market
stated Christian Vollmann, who has founded C1 together with chemists Dr. Marek Checinski, Dr.-Ing. Ralph Krähnert and Dr. Christoph Zehe.
C1 said green methanol is the alternative fuel of choice to start decarbonising the shipping industry today and save millions of tons of CO2. However, price and scale remain a challenge.
“With current technology, powering our vessels with green methanol will be much more expensive. We believe in C1’s ultra-efficient catalysis to bring down the price – and scale fast with their decentralised approach,” according to Maria Strandesen, Head of Future Fuels Innovation at Maersk.
Starting with quantum-chemical simulations, C1 has invented new ultra-efficient catalysis for green methanol to be produced from waste biomass or CO2 and H2, which will enable green methanol to become cost competitive.
Due to the containerized design of the C1-reactor – currently in the pilot stage – production is possible where sustainable feedstocks are available or close to harbours where green methanol is needed to fuel the vessels.
Maersk has the ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels, and green fuels. DP World has committed to becoming a carbon-neutral enterprise by 2040 and net zero carbon enterprise by 2050.
