The closing ceremony of the producte AGAUR projects, the DEMODAY 2021, took place on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024. Among the highlights of the event was the presentation of the CELLCO2 project by IREC.
Selected as one of the eight standout projects from a pool of over 40, the CELLCO2 project was driven by Nina Carretero, who pitched the project to a distinguished audience comprising real investors and political representatives. Carretero showcased the remarkable progress made by the project over the past 1.5 years, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards commercialization.
At its core, the CELLCO2 project aimed to develop and scale-up an electrochemical cell for CO2 reduction, with a target size of 500 cm2 capable of converting up to 2500 L of CO2 per day, ultimately achieving Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4). Notably, the prototype successfully attained TRL4, a validation currently undergoing optimization and validation processes. Looking ahead, the team will focus on crafting a robust business plan and exploitation strategy, leveraging insights gained from entrepreneurship courses provided by Topbrands.
The significance of the CELLCO2 project extends beyond technological innovation. With the increasing need for regulatory compliance to reduce CO2 emissions and advance towards NET ZERO 2050 goals, new market opportunities will emerge. The project aligns with this imperative, offering a sustainable solution to mitigate millions of tons of CO2 emissions annually while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The team behind the success of the CELLCO2 project comprises Nina Carretero, Jesús Díaz del Campo, Andrés García, and Sebastián Murcia from the Energy Storage, Harvesting, and Catalysis group at IREC.
The Catalan’ Government’s Agency for Management and of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) has awarded these projects with Llavor/Producte grants. The projects are supported by the Departament de Recerca i Universitats from Generalitat de Catalunya.
