CarbonScape

Nick Gerritsen (NZ)

CarbonScape is a clean-tech company that uses fast, efficient industrial microwave technology to transform waste biomass into high-grade materials that replace fossil carbon. The idea behind using microwave technology is to speed up fossilization. These freshly “fossilised” products can then be used in place of fossil fuels.

Biomass is first fed into a dehydrator to remove volatile gases and bio-oils. A microwave cooks the dehydrated remains until it charcoals. Gases and heat removed in the dehydration process are converted to electricity, making the plant self-sustaining.

CarbonScape’s low-cost, carbon-neutral products include activated carbon, biochar, graphite and Green Coke, a charcoal-like product comparable to coking coal. Green Coke is made from recycling atmospheric carbon through trees rather than withdrawing multimillion-year-old fossil carbon from the ground.

The customisable process could slash emissions by replacing fossil carbon in the steel making industry, decreasing emissions from organic waste decomposition, and offering companies products made from local materials.