Aerleum, a trailblazing climate tech company, has successfully closed a $6 million seed round led by 360 Capital and HTGF, with participation from Norrsken, Bpifrance, and Marble. This funding milestone will accelerate the industrialization of Aerleum’s innovative technology, which transforms atmospheric CO₂ and low-carbon hydrogen into synthetic fuels (e-fuels) and chemicals. The company is poised to drive hard-to-abate sectors towards a carbon-neutral future.
Breaking New Ground with Hierarchical Nested Riblets
Aerleum’s cutting-edge solution captures and converts CO₂ in a single reactor, utilizing proprietary bifunctional materials and precision heating. This technology streamlines the value chain by eliminating some of the most energy-intensive steps, enabling the cost-competitive and large-scale production of e-fuels and chemicals. The result? A drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, positioning Aerleum as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.
- Efficiency Boost: Single reactor system simplifies the conversion process.
- Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for multiple energy-intensive steps.
- Scalable Production: Facilitates large-scale manufacturing of e-fuels and chemicals.
Sébastien Fiedorow, co-founder and CEO of Aerleum, emphasizes the company’s mission: “Our mission has been clear since the beginning: to make e-fuels as affordable and accessible as fossil fuels. With this seed round, we’re taking a major step forward in scaling our technology to meet the urgent demand for decarbonization. We’re here to reshape entire industries, enabling them to achieve net-zero emissions faster and more efficiently.”
Accelerating Towards a Carbon-Neutral Future
With the new funding, Aerleum is set to launch its first full-scale pilot unit. The company plans to collaborate closely with key industry players and customers to deploy its technology in sectors where emissions reductions are critical. Steven Bardey, co-founder and CTO of Aerleum, shares the vision: “Aerleum’s vision is to transform industries and create a circular carbon economy, where the CO₂ present in the air becomes the resource.”
Key Milestones and Future Plans
| Milestone | Description |
|---|---|
| Seed Round Completion | Secured $6M to scale technology |
| Pilot Unit Launch | First full-scale deployment in key industries |
| Partnerships | Collaborating with maritime, aviation, and chemicals sectors |
| Global Expansion | Optimizing co-location for low-carbon hydrogen sourcing |
Aerleum is initially focusing on e-methanol, a clean and energy-dense fuel gaining traction in the maritime and aviation sectors. E-methanol not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also cuts air pollutants and serves as an excellent energy carrier due to its liquid state at ambient temperatures, making it easy to transport and store.
Overcoming Economic Challenges with Innovative Solutions
Aerleum’s approach addresses the economic barriers typically associated with clean energy solutions. Unlike conventional methods that remain costly and geographically limited, Aerleum’s technology is ready to scale globally. By optimizing co-location for low-carbon hydrogen sourcing, Aerleum provides industries around the world with a viable alternative to fossil fuels without compromising on cost or scalability.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
- Cost Savings: Competitive pricing with fossil fuels makes e-fuels accessible.
- Environmental Impact: Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Scalability: Technology ready for global implementation, overcoming location-based limitations.
The company’s innovation not only tackles the urgency of the climate crisis but also offers a sustainable and economically sound pathway for industries to decarbonize efficiently.
Recognition and Support Fuel Aerleum’s Growth
Aerleum has garnered significant recognition and support, winning prestigious awards such as the CMA CGM “Climate Innovation Challenge” Award, Technip Energies’ “Clean Maritime Challenge,” the EDF Pulse 2024 Challenge, and the Prix Pépite. Additionally, Aerleum has received strong funding support from Bpifrance and the Région Grand Est, which has been instrumental in achieving key milestones.
- Awards and Honors: Recognition from industry leaders underscores Aerleum’s innovative approach.
- Funding Support: Strategic investments fuel the company’s growth and technological advancements.
- Acceleration Programs: Participation in programs like Accelair by Air Liquide, ZEBOX by CMA CGM, and Semia provides invaluable support for scaling operations.
Alexandre Mordacq and François Tison from 360 Capital praised Aerleum’s vision: “We were seduced by Aerleum’s vision of a world where petroleum would be replaced by the CO2 present in the air – a vision rooted in reality as demonstrated by their first systems, and their economically sound business model opening the way to large scale applications.”
Timo Bertsch from HTGF added, “What truly sets Aerleum apart is the powerful combination of breakthrough technology and an audacious vision to replace environmentally harmful chemicals like methanol with a sustainable, carbon-neutral alternative. This vision aligns perfectly with HTGF’s commitment to fostering innovation that not only drives business growth but also contributes to a healthier planet.”
