James Robinson Speciality Ingredients Partners with Banyu Carbon to Advance Cutting-Edge Ocean Carbon Capture Technology

Huddersfield, United Kingdom – 21 September 2024

James Robinson Speciality Ingredients (JRSI) announces a partnership with Banyu Carbon, a leading innovator in carbon removal technology, to accelerate the development of a cutting-edge technology for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from seawater. This collaboration aims to play a pivotal role in the fight against climate change by advancing ocean-based carbon capture solutions.

The innovative reversible photoacids that JRSI and Banyu Carbon are co-developing are at the core of a leading-edge process of capturing CO2 from seawater. The process is designed to use sunlight to drive a chemical reaction that temporarily acidifies seawater and liberates CO2 for safe permanent storage or for industrial use, such as sustainable fuel production. Since only a small fraction of sunlight is required for the reaction, the remainder can be used to generate solar electricity, making the process highly energy efficient.

The reversible photoacids are designed for reuse over a thousand cycles, ensuring both sustainability and efficiency. With oceans naturally absorbing large amounts of atmospheric CO2, this method offers an effective, scalable solution to reduce global carbon levels.

“Our decades of expertise in photochromic chemistry is what differentiates us” said Sanketh Varalwar, CEO of James Robinson Speciality Ingredients. “Our collaboration with Banyu Carbon gives us an opportunity to develop the next generation of green molecules that support global decarbonization. We are both humbled and excited to be part of this important journey.”

“JRSI brings deep experience with photochromic chemistry and manufacturing know how to this partnership. I am excited to be working together with the best in the world team at JRSI towards scalable and low-cost solutions to the problem of climate change,” said Alex Gagnon, CEO of Banyu Carbon