)
From Sydney to Melbourne to Perth, the Australian carbon technology startup sector has scored a hat-trick today as WA company InterEarth announces a breakthrough agreement with Germany-based Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) to accelerate the use of its innovative carbon dioxide removal solution.
The news happens to coincide with two capital raises announced today for Fugu and KC8 Capture Technologies.
The strategic partnership between InterEarth and SEFE is underpinned by a revenue share model, and will allow the Australian company to enhance its operational capabilities and scale up its groundbreaking proprietary technology.
It is a deal that marks a substantial milestone for the startup, which specialises in sustainable carbon sequestration using the carbon capture potential of Australian native species combined with novel biomass harvesting and storage technologies.
“InterEarth is committed to action on climate change now and the deal with SEFE, who are a major international energy player, will provide us the capital to start tackling our biggest environmental challenge,” says InterEarth co-founder and CEO Dr Howard Carr.
"We’re going to reduce carbon dioxide levels worldwide with a practical solution that is proven to work. A key point is that this is not emissions reduction - which won’t solve climate change on its own – this is the direct removal of carbon dioxide already in the atmosphere."
InterEarth offers a unique carbon dioxide (CO2) removal solution similar to “reverse mining”. The company grows trees, harvests their above ground biomass and then puts that biomass, and its contained carbon, into secure, inert storage.
Our solution is safe, simple, scalable and it’s working right now,” Dr Carr says.
“By repeatedly harvesting the above ground biomass of coppicing trees (which rapidly regrow after harvest) we create an efficient, sustainable and continuous carbon removal system.
“This approach increases the capture of CO2 per unit area, boosts local employment through increased production intensity, and mitigates the key risk of CO2 return to the atmosphere due to fire, compared to traditional ‘set and forget’ tree plantations.”
The system cultivates a diverse mix of high-biomass production Australian dryland plants on marginal, low-rainfall farmland. These plants are periodically trimmed, and the harvested biomass is then securely stored in chambers engineered to prevent decomposition and combustion, ensuring long-term carbon sequestration.
“By focusing on scalable, affordable, and durable CO2 removal, InterEarth delivers verified environmental benefits with positive social impacts,” the CEO explains.
“This innovative approach not only addresses climate change but also revitalises degraded lands, making InterEarth a key player in the global effort to mitigate carbon emissions.
“Our long-running field trials continue to exceed expectations, and with this new funding, we are now ready to implement our commercialisation work programme which includes developing and operationalising industrial-scale continuous tree harvesters and our novel biomass material handling and storage technologies,” Dr Carr says.
SEFE vice president of environmental product origination, Nathan Dixon, says the group is delighted to partner with InterEarth in developing "one of, if not the most, affordable, durable carbon removal solution in the market, which has the added benefits of great scale potential and positive impact on local climate and communities".
Securing Energy for Europe (SEFE) is an integrated midstream energy company, headquartered in Berlin, Germany. With a sales volume of around 200 TWh (terrawatt hours) of power and gas, it plays a central role in ensuring the security of gas supply in Germany and Europe and in driving the green energy transformation.
The company has operations along the energy value chain, including sourcing, trading, sales, transportation, and storage of energy. SEFE has its strongest presence in Germany and the UK, employs around 1,500 people and supplies over 50,000 customers, in particular industrial customers and municipal utilities in Germany and seven other European markets.
InterEarth also has a strategic partnership with FundWA, a venture capital fund that identifies and invests in technology-driven innovative businesses across all sectors in Western Australia. It is led by Glenn Butcher, who returned to Perth after a successful executive career in major global businesses including Atlassian and Amazon and he was also a partner in venture capital firm CP Ventures.
Other FundWA directors are startup founder and adviser Asheesh Malaney, legal professional and commercialisation strategist Pia Turcinov and cardiologist Michael Nguyen, while cybersecurity veteran Glenn Murray serves as a venture partner.
)
