A Quiet Revolution in Carbon Capture at Seabound
Chingford’s Hidden Innovation
In an unassuming industrial park by the River Lea in Chingford, London, a quiet revolution is taking shape. Entrepreneurs at Seabound, a startup founded by visionary Alisha Fredriksson and her co-founder Roujia Wen, are toiling away on a seemingly simple steel container that could transform one of the world’s most polluting industries—the maritime shipping sector.
The Technology Behind the Innovation
Inside the modest container lies an ingenious solution: thousands of cherry-sized pellets made from quicklime. The mechanism is straightforward yet effective. A diesel generator pumps exhaust fumes through the quicklime pellets, which absorb carbon dioxide, triggering a chemical reaction that converts the carbon into limestone. This breakthrough aims to address the staggering environmental impact of the shipping industry, where over 50,000 cargo ships are currently at sea, producing 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions—outpacing even the aviation sector.
Meet the Visionary: Alisha Fredriksson
Alisha Fredriksson is not your typical entrepreneur. Once aspiring to be a doctor, Fredriksson’s career trajectory shifted dramatically after she encountered a pivotal report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The stark realities of climate change prompted her to reconsider her ambitions, leading her to tackle the pressing issue of carbon emissions head-on.
“I realized that the climate crisis affects everyone worldwide, and if I wanted to make a large-scale social impact, I needed to contribute to solving it,” explains the 30-year-old CEO of Seabound. The question of “how” soon followed, igniting her passion for innovation.
Proven Effectiveness of the Invention
Trials have shown promising results: Seabound’s prototype can scrub up to 78% of carbon and 90% of sulfur from ship exhaust. The ambition is straightforward—implement these devices on vessels across the world’s oceans. The journey from concept to prototype has involved extensive testing, including a three-week voyage through the Suez Canal on a 3,200-container ship, confirming the unit’s effectiveness.
The Prototype’s Evolution and Design
The latest iterations of Seabound’s technology are designed to fit within the dimensions of a standard 20-foot shipping container. This thoughtful design allows for seamless integration with existing cargo loads, enabling ship operators to stack multiple units and adjust carbon capture based on their operational needs.
Once the ships return to port, these units can be swapped for fresh quicklime containers, paving the way for a more sustainable approach. The process of producing quicklime typically involves heating limestone—an energy-intensive method that also emits CO2. To mitigate this, Seabound is actively seeking partnerships to source “green” quicklime created through renewable processes.
Navigating Skepticism and Industry Challenges
Despite the innovative strides, Seabound faces scrutiny. Some critics question whether decarbonization technologies could distract attention from more holistic solutions like zero-emission ammonia fuel or wind-powered innovations. Blánaid Sheeran, a climate policy officer at Opportunity Green, emphasizes the risk of relying too heavily on carbon-capture technologies.
However, Fredriksson remains optimistic. Amidst new regulations from the International Maritime Organization that penalize higher emissions, Seabound’s technology is well-positioned to facilitate the transition towards greener fuels. The incremental approach enables ships to progressively align their operations with these evolving regulations.
Growth Aspirations and Future Plans
Scaling up presents its own challenges, but Fredriksson is undeterred. With units priced in the tens of thousands of pounds, they aim to make their technology economically viable for shipping companies. A key milestone has already been reached, with commitments from companies to install the first full-scale units on their vessels this year.
Fredriksson’s vision extends far beyond mere prototypes. “I see a future where our systems are deployed on hundreds, if not thousands, of ships, with operational hubs in major ports worldwide,” she proclaims, encapsulating the ambition that drives Seabound forward.
While Alisha Fredriksson and her team navigate the complexities of the maritime industry, their work at Seabound exemplifies how quiet innovations can catalyze dramatic changes in global carbon capture efforts.
