Clean Fuel develops a single-step, light‑driven process that converts captured CO₂ and water directly into green methanol, eliminating the need for electrolyzers and reducing energy consumption. Their proprietary photocatalyst enables scalable, low‑capex production, turning emissions into a revenue‑generating fuel for hard‑to‑abate sectors. The technology promises lower operating costs and a fully circular carbon loop, accelerating deployment of clean fuels at industrial scale.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Current green fuel production relies on multi‑step, energy‑intensive processes that require electrolyzers and large amounts of renewable electricity, resulting in high capital and operating costs and limiting adoption in hard‑to‑abate sectors.
Solution
Clean Fuel uses a single‑step, light‑driven reaction to convert captured CO₂ and water directly into green methanol. A proprietary photocatalyst enables in‑situ water splitting under sunlight, eliminating the need for electrolyzers and reducing renewable energy demand. The process is designed for low capital expenditure and rapid scale‑up, turning a carbon emission liability into a revenue‑generating circular fuel. By mimicking photosynthesis in an industrial setting, the technology offers a more cost‑effective pathway to sustainable fuel for sectors where alternatives are scarce.
Target Audience
Primary customers are industrial users in hard‑to‑abate sectors such as shipping, aviation, chemicals, and logistics that require low‑carbon liquid fuels and seek to reduce fuel costs and emissions.
Features
- Proprietary photocatalyst that drives efficient photocatalysis for CO₂ reduction and water splitting in one reactor
- Single‑step conversion of CO₂ and water to methanol using direct sunlight, removing electrolyzer and external power requirements
- In‑situ water splitting reduces renewable energy consumption and lowers operating expenses
- Scalable reactor design with low capital costs, enabling faster time‑to‑market for green methanol production
- Fully circular process that transforms captured CO₂ emissions into a marketable fuel, closing the carbon loop
- Demonstrated proof‑of‑concept at TRL 3, producing clean methanol under direct illumination