A Harpenden-based start-up has gained £2.4m in funding to revolutionise carbon recycling into clean energy.
- The company has devised a process to convert CO2 emissions into synthetic silica, reducing carbon footprint.
- This funding will help them install their inaugural commercial system in an industrial setting.
- The firm plans to cut 16.5 kilo-tonnes of CO2 annually over the next four years.
- Renowned energy sector figure, Volker Beckers, joins the company as chairman.
Barton Blakeley, a Harpenden-based company specialising in carbon utilisation, has successfully raised £2.4m. This financial boost, led by Elbow Beach Capital, aims to scale its innovative technology designed to convert CO2 emissions into clean energy and synthetic silica. The company’s technology is projected to save over one kilo-tonne of carbon emissions each year.
The recent funding will enable Barton Blakeley to deploy its first commercial system at an industrial site, marking a significant milestone towards commercialisation. CEO Christopher Barton expressed enthusiasm about the firm’s progress and stated their commitment to collaborate with industry partners to expand opportunities.
The firm has recently appointed Volker Beckers, former CEO of RWE Npower, as chairman. Beckers is recognised for his contributions to nuclear energy and is set to guide Barton Blakeley as they embark on their first commercial ventures and scaling efforts with support from Elbow Beach Capital.
Since its inception in 2016, Barton Blakeley has developed modular systems that effectively capture and utilise CO2 emissions at industry partners’ sites. This green technology not only produces cleaner energy but also creates synthetic silica more cost-effectively than traditional methods. The conventional production of silica using approximately 30kg of CO2 per 1kg of silica highlights the need for this efficient solution.
Jonathan Pollock, CEO of Elbow Beach Capital, praised the exceptional technology developed by Barton Blakeley and indicated the funding round’s potential for broad commercial applications. Elbow Beach Capital itself invested £1.7m, reinforcing their commitment to climate tech advancements.
The capital injection aligns with Barton Blakeley’s ambitious plan to eliminate 16.5 kilo-tonnes of CO2 annually over the next four years. By tapping into the estimated $500bn global market for synthetic silica, which is used in products such as internet cables and phones, the company is poised to capture significant economic opportunities.
Barton Blakeley’s funding success represents a promising step towards advancing carbon recycling technologies and their potential commercial applications.
