Amsterdam-based Skytree, a climate tech company specialising in carbon utilisation and removal solutions, has acquired ReCarbn, a Dutch startup specialising in direct air capture (DAC) technology.
ReCarbn, founded in 2022 as a spin-off from the University of Twente, has developed and commercialised patent-pending filtration and chemical sorbent circulation technologies. These innovations aim to reduce energy consumption, cycle time, and carbon capture costs.
ReCarbn claims to have built a track record through valuable partnerships, launched customers, and secured public investments, establishing itself as a leading innovator in DAC.
The company’s co-founders—Guus Dubbink (CEO), Ewout Ruijs (CPO), and Sophia Hummelman (CCO)—will join Skytree and contribute expertise in R&D, product strategy, and commercial finance, respectively.
Aim of the acquisition
Rob van Straten, CEO of Skytree, says, “This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for Skytree and the broader DAC sector. ReCarbn’s talent and innovative technology will enable us to deliver more cost-effective DAC solutions that make carbon capture more accessible to businesses around the world.”
“By integrating ReCarbn’s team and technology, we will further expand our industry leadership in cyclical filtration and sorbent innovation as well as scalable DAC architecture. We’re excited to welcome ReCarbn’s founding team, which brings invaluable expertise and will help us realise our vision of capturing 10 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030.”
The acquisition includes ReCarbn’s intellectual property, particularly its advancements in filtration and sorbent circulation, which will be integrated into Skytree’s DAC product lineup.
This deal will facilitate closer collaboration between Skytree and the University of Twente, accelerating breakthrough advancements in DAC.
Guus Dubbink, the former CEO of ReCarbn who will lead R&D at Skytree, focusing on capture materials and innovation, adds, “This acquisition aligns perfectly with ReCarbn’s vision of scaling DAC to tackle the global climate crisis.”
“By combining our efforts, Skytree will be poised to solidify its position as a global leader in Direct Air Capture, delivering technology that addresses climate change at scale and helps the world transition toward a carbon-negative future.”
The acquisition follows significant developments from Skytree, including its exclusive role as the technology provider for Project Concho, a $100M DAC hub in Texas with a 500,000-tonne capacity and the goal of being the first 100 per cent wind-powered DAC hub.
In October, Skytree also opened two North American locations to support DAC projects in Canada and the US as part of its global expansion.
Brief about Skytree
Skytree develops Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology for carbon removal and utilisation. The company offers scalable systems for decentralised and large-scale installations, with a focus on cost and energy efficiency.
The company’s solutions, including Stratus and Cumulus units, are designed to improve over time. Its project pipeline exceeds 2 million tons of CO2 annually, supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Atmospheric CO2 is a harmful greenhouse gas contributing to climate change but is also a valuable commodity used in various industries, such as indoor farming, food production, and e-fuels. Skytree helps industries meet sustainability targets by either removing or reusing CO2, transforming it into a valuable resource or storing it long-term.
By capturing CO2 onsite, companies can reduce operational costs and avoid reliance on the fossil fuel-based CO2 supply chain, which is prone to disruptions and price fluctuations.
Recent Skytree deployments have cut CO2 costs by over 70 per cent. Additionally, the company’s technology supports large-scale carbon storage projects, generating negative CO2 emissions and offering carbon credits or offsets.
Skytree offers two modular DAC solutions: Skytree Cumulus, which captures up to 30kg of CO2 per day for small-scale applications like carbonating drinks and growing food in vertical farms, and Skytree Stratus, which captures up to 1000kg of CO2 per day for larger projects such as greenhouses, e-fuel production, and carbon storage.
Skytree Stratus can be installed as individual systems or as a larger-scale array called a Stratus Park.
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