Breakthrough DAC electrolyzer aims for sub-$100 carbon capture.
Cleantech startup Brineworks has secured €6.8 million ($7.95 million) to advance its renewable energy-powered Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology and hydrogen co-production systems. Founded in 2023 by CEO Gudfinnur Sveinsson and CTO Joseph Perryman, the Amsterdam-based company is developing a patented saltwater electrolyzer designed to operate flexibly on intermittent renewable power, lowering capital costs and expanding siting options compared to conventional DAC systems.
The funding round includes €5 million in seed equity led by SeaX Ventures, with participation from Pale Blue Dot, First Momentum, AiiM Partners, and Energie360°. Brineworks also received a €1.8 million grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator. The company is targeting pilot-scale deployment with commercial readiness expected by late 2026. Current DAC systems cost $200–$600 per ton, while Brineworks is pursuing capture below $100 per ton alongside scalable e-fuel production.
Achieving sub-$100 per ton capture positions Brineworks to directly compete with incumbent DAC providers and signals investor backing for technologies aligned with renewable intermittency and hydrogen integration.
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References:
Segal, M. (2025, September 26). Cleantech startup Brineworks raises $8 million to scale low-cost DAC carbon removal tech. ESG Today. https://www.esgtoday.com/cleantech-startup-brineworks-raises-8-million-to-scale-low-cost-dac-carbon-removal-tech/
