Vycarb's Water-Based CCUS Technology Clears Independent Validation, Opens Path to Industrial-Scale Pilots

Vycarb, a Brooklyn-based carbon capture and storage company, has completed an independent technical validation of its water-based CO2 removal system through the U.S. Department of Energy's CCUS Commercialization Voucher Program. The assessment, carried out by global engineering firm Ramboll, confirms the technology has reached pilot-scale technology readiness and is now cleared for industrial-scale piloting.

The validation comes at a time when carbon capture and storage developers face growing pressure to prove their technology works before scaling up. Vycarb's system captures CO2 directly from industrial sources and stores it permanently in natural water using a pH-mediated chemical reaction, paired with real-time sensors that measure exactly how much carbon gets removed.

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What the Validation Covered

Ramboll's review included performance testing, a techno-economic analysis, a life cycle assessment, a market opportunity assessment, a hazardous materials review, and a formal Technology Readiness Level evaluation. The combined assessment found Vycarb's system has reached "Pilot Scale" TRL, with Ramboll also identifying further pathways for process optimization and cost reduction.

Ramboll also flagged that Vycarb may be eligible for the U.S. 45Q carbon oxide sequestration tax credit, a federal incentive that has become a key driver of CCUS investment across the industry.

"Working with Ramboll provided the level of independent validation that the market demands," said Garrett Boudinot, Founder and CEO of Vycarb.

"This assessment gives our partners, customers, and investors a clear, third-party view of our technology's maturity, cost competitiveness, and deployment readiness, while also identifying concrete steps to further refine our solution for optimal impact," he added.

Risk Assessment and Deployment Readiness

Beyond the technology review, Ramboll conducted an independent risk assessment covering technical, operational, and regulatory factors, producing mitigation strategies to guide Vycarb's ongoing research and deployment planning. The team also completed a hazardous materials review of Vycarb's inputs and supply chain, a step that should help the company move faster with industrial partners and permitting authorities going forward.

Santiago Gonzalez Hernandez, representing Ramboll on the assessment, said the technology shows real potential in the broader CCUS landscape.

"Our independent assessment, with input from our team of expert engineers, provided a structured evaluation of Vycarb's technical readiness, technology economic outlook, and risk profile, and identified credible pathway development strategies toward commercial-scale deployment," he said.

About Vycarb

Founded in 2022 by chemical oceanographer Garrett Boudinot, Vycarb combines a carbon neutralization process with sensor technology to capture, remove, and store CO2 in natural water at industrial sites. The company's system converts CO2 into bicarbonate, a stable storage form that can hold carbon for thousands of years, without relying on pipelines or underground injection.

Vycarb has previously piloted its technology in New York City's East River through the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation's Yard Labs program, and at The Trust for Governors Island. The company has also sold carbon credits to corporate buyers including Stripe and Milkywire, building a commercial track record ahead of this latest validation milestone.

Key Facts

• Vycarb's CCUS technology has been confirmed at "Pilot Scale" Technology Readiness Level by Ramboll
  
• The validation was conducted through the DOE's CCUS Commercialization Voucher Program
  
• Vycarb may be eligible for the federal 45Q carbon sequestration tax credit
  
• The assessment clears the way for industrial-scale piloting of the technology
  
• Vycarb's process converts CO2 into bicarbonate using natural minerals and water chemistry