In the global race to combat climate change, SeaO₂, a Dutch climate-tech company, is transforming the ocean into a powerful carbon-removal engine. Founded in 2021 as a spin-off from TU Delft, the company has developed an innovative method to extract carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from seawater—unlocking the ocean’s natural ability to absorb more carbon from the atmosphere.

With support from the European Union’s BlueInvest Readiness Assistance programme in 2024, SeaO₂ has strengthened its investor engagement strategy and sharpened its commercial roadmap, positioning itself at the forefront of Europe’s emerging ocean-based carbon removal sector.

“The oceans absorb over 25% of human CO₂ emissions and hold vastly more carbon than the air, so they are a very strong ally in carbon removal,” says Zamin Syed, Founder’s Associate at SeaO₂. “But as emissions continue rising, the ocean's ability to absorb CO₂ is under pressure.”

How Direct Ocean Capture Works

At the heart of SeaO₂’s approach is Direct Ocean Capture (DOC) technology. Through an electrochemical process, the company extracts dissolved CO₂ from seawater. The treated, “decarbonised” water is then returned to the ocean’s surface layer, where it regains the capacity to absorb additional CO₂ from the atmosphere.

This cycle not only helps reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels but may also counter ocean acidification at a local scale.

Unlike many climate solutions that require entirely new infrastructure, SeaO₂ aims to integrate its systems with existing coastal facilities—particularly desalination plants—to reduce energy consumption and operational costs. Future deployment sites under consideration include Norway and Canada, where favorable ocean conditions and access to renewable energy offer ideal testing grounds.

Click on the image to enlarge it

From Academic Spin-Off to Ocean-Tech Scale-Up

Since its launch in 2021, SeaO₂ has grown into a team of 12 specialists spanning chemistry, oceanography, engineering, and business development. The company’s strategy rests on three pillars:

• Advancing DOC technology

• Commercialising carbon-dioxide removal (CDR) credits

• Supplying captured CO₂ to industrial clients

In 2023, SeaO₂ validated its concept with Project Ripple, successfully capturing its first batch of CO₂ and permanently storing it through mineralisation. Building on this success, Project Swell, currently operating in the Netherlands, is testing the technology under real marine conditions.

Click on the image to enlarge it

The next milestone, Project Breaker, is scheduled for 2028. Designed to operate at commercial scale, it will generate verified carbon-removal credits for businesses seeking high-quality climate solutions.

To finance this expansion, SeaO₂ is preparing a Series A funding round of approximately €12 million, targeted for early 2027. The company has already pre-sold carbon-removal credits to early buyers, including Klarna, with delivery set to begin once large-scale operations commence.

SeaO₂’s containerised pilot, Project Swell, with a carbon removal capacity of 25 tCO₂/year at the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands. ©SeaO₂

BlueInvest: Strengthening Europe’s Blue Economy

Participation in the BlueInvest Readiness Assistance programme in 2024 provided SeaO₂ with tailored coaching on strategic planning and investor readiness. The initiative helped translate complex ocean-chemistry innovation into compelling, investor-ready business propositions.

Attendance at BlueInvest Day further expanded the company’s network within the ocean-tech and investment communities, including connections with representatives from the European Commission and other blue-economy stakeholders.

The team behind SeaO₂. ©SeaO₂

“For us, BlueInvest is also about community,” says Zamin Syed. “It was inspiring to meet other teams working in ocean technology and to realise we’re not alone in this field. It was also very valuable to connect with organisations across the blue economy, including representatives from the European Commission, and to see first-hand how much is happening at European level.”

A Growing Role in Europe’s Climate Strategy

As carbon-removal technologies gain traction across the European Union, SeaO₂ is emerging as a leader in the direct ocean capture space. Its method is increasingly referenced in EU climate discussions—an encouraging signal for a company working to position the ocean as a cornerstone of Europe’s net-zero strategy.

With scientific validation achieved, pilot projects underway, and major funding on the horizon, SeaO₂ is charting a course from laboratory innovation to commercial-scale climate impact—turning seawater into a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.