CO2Volt
Reducing industrial carbon emissions while maintaining the production of essential chemicals is a major challenge in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Many industries produce large volumes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a by-product, yet technologies to convert this waste gas into useful products remain difficult to scale efficiently.
University of Liverpool spin-out CO2Volt aims to address this challenge through an innovative carbon dioxide (CO₂) electrolyser. The technology uses renewable electricity to convert waste CO₂ and water into carbon monoxide and hydrogen – key building blocks used by the chemicals industry to manufacture a wide range of products, from everyday materials to sustainable synthetic fuels.
By providing a direct alternative to fossil-derived feedstocks, the technology supports efforts to reuse waste carbon while enabling more sustainable chemical manufacturing.
The technology was developed by researchers at the University’s Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy (SIRE). The system is designed to address several operational challenges that have historically limited CO₂ electrolysers, including improving conversion efficiency and operational uptime while using low-cost and widely available materials.
Professor Alex Cowan, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Liverpool and Chief Technology Officer of CO2Volt, said: “CO2Volt aims to position itself at the forefront of next-generation carbon utilisation technologies, supporting industry efforts to decarbonise while unlocking new value from waste CO₂. This investment enables us to take the next step in developing and scaling our technology.”
CO2Volt has raised £1 million to support the development and commercialisation of the technology. The spin-out was created in partnership with Zinc VC and has secured investment from both partners alongside the Innovate UK Investor Partnership Programme.
The funding will support the development of a working prototype and the scale-up of the system towards a pilot-scale demonstrator.
CO2Volt exemplifies the kind of breakthrough science we look to support at Zinc – innovations that can utilise greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and create real commercial value. We are excited to partner with the team as they scale toward real-world impact.