Separatic, a start-up incubated at the University of Fribourg, is developing and producing innovative gas separation systems for direct CO2 capture and hydrogen recovery. Its goal is to help industries move towards carbon neutrality with a simple, effective and low-cost solution.
Context
The global carbon footprint reduction targets are very ambitious, and limiting CO2 emissions will not be enough. Consequently, negative emission technologies are being used to eliminate some of the greenhouse gases resulting from human activities. This is where Separatic comes in: the start-up is developing gas separation solutions based on innovative, low-cost and easy-to-implement membranes, focusing on the capture and separation of carbon from industrial waste gases. It has also made hydrogen recovery an essential part of its strategy.
Technology
The main innovation is the use of tubular graphene membranes to separate CO2 from flue gases. They also enable hydrogen to be recovered for fuel cell applications. These membranes were developed during the doctoral research of Separatic founder Timur Ashirov and are covered by several patents. Coated in an adsorbent material, the membranes considerably improve the efficiency of gas separation, reducing energy consumption by five to nine times compared with traditional methods. The high permeation rate also reduces the membrane surface area required by a factor of 100, significantly lowering costs, while the modular design means that this solution can be integrated into any existing installation.
Maturity
Following successful laboratory tests in Denmark, Separatic is developing industrial pilot projects with Swiss partners such as Plastic Omnium and Groupe E Celsius. If these are also successful, market entry is planned for the end of 2025. The start-up is initially targeting the European Union, where CO2 emission reduction targets are very strict, after which it plans to extend its activities to Asian markets. The technology is particularly well suited to the energy production sector but could also be applied to biogas treatment. Separatic is supported financially by the BRIDGE Proof of Concept programme and the University of Fribourg’s research department, and is looking to raise further non-dilutive funds before approaching private investors.
‘One of our aims is to set up a direct CO2 capture facility in Tajikistan: I grew up there, close to an aluminium factory, and it’s my desire to guarantee clean air for my community.’
- Timur Ashirov, CEO
This portrait is taken from the second edition of the cleantech start-up overview published in 2024. Discover the full publication here.
