Dutch CCS/CDR Innovation Showcase

Following the close of the RVO–IEAGHG CCUS workshop, participants reconvened for a relaxed networking session over drinks and light refreshments. This semi-informal gathering offered a platform to showcase emerging carbon capture and removal technologies from Dutch innovators. Brief presentations were delivered by Carbotreat, Paebbl, SeaO₂, and TNO.

Carbotreat: Modular Carbon Capture at Sea

Carbotreat presented its compact, modular onboard carbon capture and storage (OCCS) units developed for maritime applications. Currently designed for smaller capture capacities (200 kg/h and 500 kg/h), these plug-and-play systems are suitable for both new vessels and retrofits, offering easy installation, remote operation, and minimal modification needs.

The company also introduced Project Blue Horizon, a Dutch initiative in collaboration with Anthony Veder, Royal IHC, and TNO, targeting a 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions from an existing vessel. The project aims to bring OCCS technology to TRL 9 and demonstrates a scalable pathway to maritime decarbonisation.

Paebbl: Turning CO₂ into Sustainable Construction Materials

Paebbl introduced its proprietary technology that accelerates natural carbon mineralisation, a process that normally takes centuries, by a factor of ten million. The company combines captured CO₂ with silicate-rich minerals to produce a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Each CO₂ molecule is converted into a stable carbonate (CO₃), locking carbon away for millennia while serving as a usable component in concrete mixes. The CO₂ stored in Paebbl materials remains permanently sequestered, even if the concrete structure is demolished.

Currently, Paebbl’s SCM can replace 10 – 30% of cement in concrete mixes, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of construction. At the commercial scale, for every tonne of CO₂ processed, the technology emits approximately 0.2 tonnes of CO₂, making the solution a powerful tool for decarbonisation. By 2030, Paebbl estimates three commercial-size plants will be operational, with a combined production capacity of over a million tonnes of carbon-storing construction materials.

SeaO₂: Harnessing the Ocean for Scalable Carbon Removal

SeaO₂ is developing ocean-powered technology to unlock the ocean’s untapped potential for carbon removal. Oceans currently absorb around 30% of global CO₂ emissions and hold 150 times more carbon than the atmosphere, making them a powerful natural reservoir for CDR.

SeaO₂’s fully electrical, heat-free system extracts CO₂ directly from seawater. Its compact, plug-and-play design allows for integration into existing marine infrastructure with minimal land impact. Operating intermittently, the system can take advantage of clean, cost-effective energy sources while supporting grid balancing.

With no need for feedstock, by-products, or chemicals and minimal impact on ocean alkalinity, SeaO₂ positions itself as a low-impact, gigatonne-scale carbon removal pathway with strong alignment to marine climate strategies.

TNO: Advancing Post-Combustion Capture and CO₂ Infrastructure R&D

TNO presented its extensive work in developing and scaling post-combustion CO₂ capture technologies from advanced laboratory capabilities TRL 1 to pilot scale operations. This stepwise scaling approach supports the translation of promising lab results into real-world applications.

TNO also announced the opening of its “Colorado” CO₂ flow loop. This new modular facility will investigate the behaviour of CO₂ e.g., in bends, valves, chokes, instruments and other vertical and horizontal appendages and accurate control and read-out of pressure, temperature and flow rate. The Colorado CO₂ flow loop is designed to support studies on pipeline integrity, flow assurance, and transport optimisation under realistic operating conditions.

Conclusion

Following the five-minute pitches, each Dutch company returned to their respective booths to engage in more in-depth conversations with interested participants. This informal, interactive format allowed for closer discussion and valuable networking around the innovations presented. After an hour of lively exchange, the curtains were drawn on what had been an inspiring day of showcasing the Netherlands’ growing pipeline of CCS and CDR projects. A truly compelling glimpse into the future of Dutch carbon capture and removal landscape.