What is carbonauten GmbH all about?
carbonauten GmbH is shaking up the industrial raw materials scene with its minus CO2 factory concept. They develop and produce raw materials and precursors based on biochar and bio-oils, all made in decentralized factories. The magic? Biochar binds up to 3.67 tons of CO2 equivalent per ton—permanently. Meanwhile, bio-oils, which come as a by-product, serve as CO2-negative raw materials for the chemical industry. And there’s more: baseload renewable energy is another valuable by-product. Their in-house carbonization technology is industrial, robust, and flexible enough to handle all types of woody biomass residues. The biochars get transformed into a new category of materials called “NET Materials®” (Negative Emission Technology), which are CO2-negative precursors used across plastics, chemical, agricultural, and construction industries. The goal? Produce these NET Materials® in large quantities and at low prices to make decarbonization not just possible, but economically attractive for industry—impacting Scope 3 emissions too.
The main benefits of carbonauten’s approach
Here are some key figures and facts that highlight why carbonauten’s system is a game-changer:
- Each ton of biochar permanently binds up to 3.67 tons of CO2 equivalent.
- Bio-oils produced are CO2-negative raw materials for the chemical industry.
- Baseload renewable energy is generated as a by-product, powering the factories and more.
- NET Materials® serve multiple industries: plastics, chemicals, agriculture, construction.
- carbonauten plans to reduce, store, and use climate gases on the order of gigatons starting in 2024.
- Projected sales of over 2 billion euros by 2031, aiming to lead globally in CO2-negative materials.
How does the technology behind carbonauten work?
At the heart of it all is carbon—the building block of organic life. Carbon exists either as a solid material or as a gas, like carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants have been nature’s CO2 storage machines for millions of years, using photosynthesis to turn CO2 into biomass and releasing oxygen. But when a tree dies, microorganisms break it down, releasing greenhouse gases like CO2, methane, and nitrous oxide. carbonauten interrupts this natural cycle with pyrolytic carbonization—heating biomass without oxygen between 400° and 700° C. This process creates stable biochars that don’t decompose, locking carbon away permanently and preventing greenhouse gas formation. Their self-developed pyrolysis technology splits wood residues into three parts: biochar, pyrolysis oil, and synthesis gas. The biochar is refined into NET Materials®, pyrolysis oils are sent to third parties for further processing, and synthesis gas powers the factories, with surplus energy sold as baseload renewable energy. It’s a smart, circular system that maximizes the value of biomass residues.
Markets carbonauten is transforming
carbonauten’s NET Materials® are making waves across six key markets, each benefiting from CO2-reducing activities:
- Agriculture: Enhancing livestock, soils, and plants.
- Energy: Providing heat, electricity, and hydrogen.
- Plastics: Used in masterbatches and compounds.
- Chemicals: Creating platform chemicals from residual materials.
- Construction: Offering diverse CO2 sinks.
- Carbon Removal: Combining ecological benefits with profitability.
Recent milestones and innovations
carbonauten is not just talking the talk—they’re walking the walk. For the first time ever, seat shells and armrests of the ICE (InterCity Express train) are injection molded from CO2-negative plastic containing 33% biochar. That’s a huge leap for sustainable transportation materials. Plus, the construction of the world’s largest carbonization plant for CO2 removal and storage kicked off in Chibi on November 7, 2023. These milestones show carbonauten’s commitment to scaling up and making a real impact.
Project impact aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – through baseload renewable energy production.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – via innovative carbonization technology and decentralized factories.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by turning biomass residues into valuable materials.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – through permanent CO2 removal and reduction of greenhouse gases.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – by promoting sustainable use of woody biomass and reducing deforestation impacts.
Looking ahead: carbonauten’s vision for the future
carbonauten is gearing up to grow by sharing its technology and expertise, aiming to become the global leader in CO2-negative materials by 2031. Their vision is bold: to make food, materials, and energy not only renewable but better quality and cheaper for everyone. By identifying, planning, implementing, and operating decentralized minus CO2 factories worldwide, they’re building a deep value chain that’s both ecological and profitable. With innovative NET Materials® and attractive by-products like bio-oils and renewable energy, carbonauten is setting a new standard for industrial sustainability—one ton of engineered biocarbon at a time.
