Limenet: The Italian Startup Removing CO₂ from the Sea with Support from Google and Frontier
In a global context marked by the climate emergency, the Italian deep-tech startup Limenet is emerging with an innovative solution for the permanent removal of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. Thanks to a $500,000 agreement with Frontier, the advance market commitment consortium founded by giants like Google, Stripe, and Shopify, Limenet is positioning itself as a key player in the fight against climate change, placing Italian innovation at the center of the global stage.
This strategic partnership not only validates Limenet’s unique technology but also marks a concrete step toward a more sustainable future by harnessing the potential of our oceans.
How Does Limenet’s CO₂ Removal Technology Work?
Founded by engineers Stefano Cappello, Giovanni Cappello, and Enrico Noseda, Limenet has developed a pioneering decarbonization method for the lime industry. The process is based on two fundamental pillars:
- Green Lime Production: Limenet produces lime through a process that captures carbon dioxide instead of emitting it.
- Permanent Ocean Storage: The lime is used to increase the alkalinity of seawater, converting dissolved CO₂ into calcium bicarbonates—a stable form that remains stored for millennia.
This approach, known as Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), makes Limenet one of the few companies in the world using the marine environment as a massive and safe basin for carbon storage.
Scientific Validation and Environmental Sustainability
To ensure the effectiveness and safety of its method, Limenet actively collaborates with prestigious institutions such as the Polytechnic University of Milan, the University of Milan-Bicocca, and the CMCC (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change). Their research focuses on:
- Chemical stability: Lab and field tests have confirmed that the bicarbonates produced remain stable, preventing any unwanted release of CO₂.
- Impact on marine ecosystems: Advanced simulations and constant monitoring ensure that the increase in alkalinity does not negatively affect marine biota. Initial tests even suggest a potential benefit for calcifying organisms like corals and shellfish.
Frontier: The Accelerator for Climate Technologies
Frontier is an initiative launched in 2022 by tech giants like Google, Meta, Shopify, Stripe, and JPMorgan Chase with the goal of accelerating the development of carbon removal technologies. With a commitment to invest at least $1 billion by 2030, Frontier acts as a catalyst, creating a market for the most promising solutions.
The agreement with Limenet is particularly significant:
- It is the first Italian company to be funded by Frontier.
- It is the sixth in Europe and the second European startup specializing in ocean-based solutions.
Under the contract, Limenet will remove 330 tons of CO₂, the equivalent of emissions from about 150 round-trip flights between Rome and New York.
Future Goals: A Leading Role on the Global Stage
The selection by Frontier is not just a financial endorsement but a validation of Limenet’s global potential. The startup aims to become a world leader in CO₂ capture and storage through calcium bicarbonates.
This agreement demonstrates how Italian innovation, when supported by major international players, can generate a tangible and positive impact in the fight against climate change, while protecting the health of our planet and its oceans.
