Sources : https://brineworks.tech/

Climate change is no longer a looming threat, it’s an unfolding reality. With atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels reaching record highs, the urgency to deploy scalable, cost-effective carbon capture technologies has become paramount. Traditional approaches like Direct Air Capture (DAC) are often prohibitively expensive and energy-intensive, limiting their global impact. Amid this pressing challenge, Brineworks, a forward-thinking climate tech startup based in Amsterdam, has introduced a novel and promising solution. Founded in 2023, Brineworks operates on a revolutionary concept: instead of capturing CO₂ from the air, why not extract it directly from the ocean, Earth’s largest carbon sink?

The oceans absorb approximately one-third of all anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, making them a logical target for intervention. Brineworks has designed a system that not only removes CO₂ from seawater but also generates green hydrogen in the process. This dual-purpose approach positions Brineworks at the intersection of carbon removal and clean energy production, opening new pathways to sustainable fuels and long-term environmental impact.

Brineworks was founded by Gudfinnur Sveinsson and Dr. Joseph Perryman, two innovators with complementary skill sets and a shared commitment to combating climate change. Sveinsson, who serves as CEO, holds a background in environmental policy and international relations, having studied at Columbia University and worked at the Earth Institute. His career spans roles in both public policy and startup consultancy, equipping him with a strategic perspective on how technology can drive systems change.

Dr. Joseph Perryman, the company’s CTO, is a chemist by training and a technologist by passion. He earned his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University, focusing on electrolyzer technologies that operate in complex environments like seawater. His research directly informed Brineworks’ core innovation: an electrolytic system capable of operating efficiently with fewer membranes, less energy, and lower cost materials.

Together, Sveinsson and Perryman have built a company that not only understands the urgency of climate mitigation but is also capable of delivering technologically sound and economically viable solutions

Sources : https://brineworks.tech/

Brineworks’ flagship product is an electrolysis system that performs “direct ocean capture” of CO₂ and simultaneously generates hydrogen gas. Their proprietary technology is based on electrolytic electrodialysis, a process that separates CO₂ and other ions from seawater using electrical currents and specialized membranes.

Unlike conventional DAC technologies, which suffer from high energy demands and expensive infrastructure, Brineworks’ system benefits from seawater’s high ion content and naturally dissolved CO₂, reducing the energy required for extraction. Additionally, by using Earth-abundant and affordable catalysts rather than precious metals like iridium or ruthenium, the system becomes dramatically cheaper to produce and scale. The design also features a reduced number of membranes, resulting in lower internal resistance and higher current density (25 times greater than conventional electrodialysis setups).

This makes the system not only suitable for remote, off-grid operation but also ideal for integration into the production chain for e-fuels, synthetic fuels created from captured CO₂ and green hydrogen. Brineworks positions its technology as a modular, decentralized solution capable of powering maritime vessels, industrial applications, and even aviation sectors without relying on fossil-based supply chains.

Brineworks made a significant splash in the climate tech ecosystem when it raised €2 million ($2.2 million) in pre-seed funding in September 2024. The funding round was led by Pale Blue Dot, a Malmö-based venture capital firm known for investing exclusively in climate-positive startups. Their involvement marked a strong vote of confidence in Brineworks’ vision and commercial potential.

Other participants in the funding round included:

• Founders Factory’s Blue Action Accelerator – Focused on ocean innovation.
• Third Derivative – A global climate tech accelerator backed by RMI.
• Remove (Netherlands) – A Dutch carbon removal venture fund.
• Aligned Ventures – Supporting climate-centric startups.
• First Momentum Ventures – Early-stage fund with a science-driven approach.
• Nucleus Capital – An impact-driven fund investing in sustainable transformation.

The investors hail from a mix of regions, including Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, demonstrating international backing and strategic alignment with the startup’s mission.

Case Study: Enabling Green Maritime Fuels

One of the most promising applications of Brineworks’ technology lies in the production of e-fuels for the shipping industry, a sector facing numerous challenges in its efforts to decarbonize. Traditional fuels used by cargo ships contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. Brineworks’ seawater-to-fuel solution offers a sustainable alternative.

In a pilot partnership with a maritime logistics company, Brineworks deployed its modular electrolysis units near a coastal port. These units extracted CO₂ and H₂ directly from seawater, feeding them into a reactor system that synthesizes methanol, a popular e-fuel. The operation demonstrated that Brineworks’ technology could operate continuously, using only solar energy to power its system. Results showed a reduction in carbon intensity by over 85% compared to fossil-based shipping fuel.

This case study illustrates the versatility and potential real-world impact of Brineworks’ system. However, the path from pilot to global-scale deployment is long and often fraught with regulatory and operational complications. Rigorous validation is essential before assertions about gigaton-level climate benefits can be confidently accepted.

That said, Brineworks represents a new wave of climate tech startups with the ambition and scientific grounding to make a tangible impact on global carbon emissions. By reimagining carbon capture through the lens of ocean chemistry and coupling it with hydrogen production, Brineworks is creating tools that are not only environmentally effective but also economically feasible. As governments and industries accelerate toward net-zero commitments, scalable solutions like those offered by Brineworks will play an essential role in turning the tide against climate change. With a growing network of international investors and proven technology ready for deployment, Brineworks is poised to take a leading role in the transition to a clean, ocean-powered energy future.

Citation

1. Brineworks. (2024). Brineworks: Seawater Electrolysis for Sustainable CO₂ Capture. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://brineworks.tech/
2. EU-Startups. (2024, September 12). Amsterdam-based Brineworks secures €2 million to drive down cost of e-Fuel feedstocks. Amsterdam-based Brineworks secures €2 million to drive down cost of e-Fuel feedstocks | EU-Startups
3. Founders Factory. (2024). Investing in Brineworks – unlocking green fuels from seawater. Investing in Brineworks, unlocking green fuels from seawater – Founders Factory
4. Yachting Ventures. (2024). Brineworks secures $2.2M for CO₂ ocean extraction and low-cost green hydrogen production. Brineworks secures $2.2M for CO2 ocean extraction and low-cost green hydrogen production – Yachting Ventures
5. Technology Wealth. (2024). Brineworks: Electrolytic Electrodialysis Technology for CO₂ Removal and Hydrogen Production. Brineworks (€2 million Seed funding to develop electrolytic electrodialysis technology for CO2 removal and hydrogen production via seawater) – Technology Wealth
6. PitchBook. (2024). Brineworks Company Profile. Brineworks 2025 Company Profile: Valuation, Funding & Investors | PitchBook

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas
Reviewer : Imam Buchari, David ratner