In a historical moment where the climate emergency is the greatest threat to our planet, reducing the increase of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere is one of the first steps to take. To find a solution to this problem, an agreement has been signed between the Frontier consortium and the Italian startup Limenet. This $500,000 partnership, stipulated on behalf of tech giants like Google, Stripe, and Shopify, marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future.
The durable removal of CO₂
Limenet is an Italian deep tech startup founded by engineers Stefano Cappello, its CEO & Founder, Giovanni Cappello, CTO & Cofounder, and Enrico Noseda.
This startup focuses on the production of green lime, stored in the sea in the form of calcium bicarbonates, with the aim of permanently removing and storing CO₂. Limenet is, to date, one of the few innovative companies globally to propose a decarbonization method for the lime sector, which utilizes the marine environment as a basin for storage.
Limenet is conducting in-depth research to validate and optimize its CO₂ removal technology thanks to collaboration with academic and research institutions such as Politecnico di Milano, Università Milano-Bicocca, and CMCC. In particular, the field of abiotic precipitation, a phenomenon that could cause the undesired release of CO₂, has been specifically analyzed. Studies have been conducted on the chemical stability of alkalinity added to seawater, with laboratory and field tests confirming the stability of the bicarbonates produced.
In parallel, Limenet is committed to quantifying the response of biotic calcification to the addition of alkalinity and carefully monitoring saturation levels to avoid negative effects on marine biota, through advanced simulations and future experiments. The research conducted so far, including qualitative tests that suggest an improvement in calcified organisms, aims to ensure the permanence of carbon storage in the long term and confirm the absence of negative impacts on marine ecosystems.
Investments and future objectives
Frontier is the Big Tech Vanguard Consortium for Carbon Removal, founded in 2022, it represents one of the most ambitious initiatives in the carbon removal landscape. It was born from the impetus of some of the most influential global technology and multinational companies, including Google, Meta, Shopify, Stripe, Alphabet, JPMorgan Chase, and Salesforce. Frontier aims to facilitate the development of innovative technologies to accelerate carbon removal on a global scale, aiming to invest at least $1 billion in carbon removal credits by 2030.
The coalition, which includes over 700 companies, has so far supported startups and businesses that have demonstrated disruptive technologies in this sector. In fact, in 2024 alone, Frontier invested approximately $279 million in purchasing credits from seven major companies. Although the agreement with Limenet fits into this context, it is the first Italian company to receive such recognition, the sixth in Europe, and the second European startup specializing in “ocean-based” solutions. Under the terms of the contract, Limenet will commit to removing 330 tons of carbon, an amount equivalent to the emissions generated by approximately 150 round-trip flights between Rome and New York, valued at $500,000.
During Frontier’s latest announcement, dated July 14, 2025, the allocation of $1.7 million to three selected startups for their technology was declared: Karbonetiq, specializing in the mineralization of industrial waste, Limenet, with its marine alkalinity enhancement approach, and pHathom, engaged in the design of reactors for carbon capture and conversion into solid form.
Limenet’s selection by Frontier not only validates this startup’s technological potential but also strengthens its role in the global CO₂ removal landscape. It aims to become a world leader in CO₂ capture and storage via calcium bicarbonates, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change and the protection of marine ecosystems.
This agreement represents a concrete example of how collaboration between innovation and major industry players can generate a positive and tangible impact on the health of our planet.
