Mission Zero Technologies

Mission Zero Technologies, founded in London in 2020 by Dr. Nicholas Chadwick, Dr. Gaël Gobaille-Shaw, and Shiladitya Ghosh, develops and deploys a versatile direct air capture (DAC) technology to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The company's creation was driven by its founders—two chemists and a chemical engineer—seeking to apply their skills to address climate change. Dr. Gobaille-Shaw, the CTO, leveraged his electrochemistry research background to devise a novel DAC process inspired by the biological functions that manage CO₂ in the body. This system uses electricity and a liquid solution in an electrochemical process to capture atmospheric CO₂, regenerate the solvent, and release pure CO₂ gas. This method is designed to be highly energy-efficient, potentially reducing energy consumption by up to 62.5% compared to some competitors, and can operate at ambient temperature and pressure.

The company's business model focuses on commercializing and selling modular DAC systems that can be scaled and deployed globally wherever there is an electricity supply. This allows for decentralized carbon capture, serving a range of clients and applications. Mission Zero partners with project developers, engineers, and CO₂ users to integrate its technology into various carbon removal and utilization pathways. By the end of 2024, the company plans to have three commercial systems operational, pioneering CO₂ mineralization, the creation of carbon-negative building materials, and the production of sustainable aviation fuel. One of its key projects with partner Deep Sky in Canada involves a DAC system powered by renewable solar energy, aiming to capture up to 250 tonnes of CO₂ annually for permanent underground storage. The company generates revenue through the sale of these systems and may offer long-term service agreements.

Since its inception, Mission Zero has moved from a lab concept to commercial deployments in under three years. It has secured significant funding, including a £21.8 million Series A round in March 2024, with investors such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures, 2150.VC, World Fund, and Siemens Financial Services. The company has also received support from organizations like the XPRIZE Foundation and Stripe. The founders' backgrounds are central to the company's trajectory; CEO Dr. Nicholas Chadwick holds a PhD in Materials Science from University College London, and CTO Dr. Gaël Gobaille-Shaw is an electrochemist who completed his PhD studies on CO2 conversion at the University of Bristol.

Keywords: direct air capture, carbon removal, electrochemical separation, CO2 utilization, decarbonization, climate technology, CO2 mineralization, sustainable aviation fuel, carbon-negative materials, project development, modular DAC, energy-efficient carbon capture, atmospheric carbon, circular carbon economy, emissions reduction