Repsol Sinopec Tech Challenge: CO₂ Adsorption Materials

Get the opportunity to test your DAC adsorption materials at field scale
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Repsol Sinopec Brasil, a leading player in Brazil's energy sector, has partnered with SOSA and Energy Hub to discover next-generation CO2 adsorption materials to test in a world-class DAC lab at PUCRS University in Brazil.
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Get a chance to be one of three winning companies selected for a POC with Repsol Sinopec Brasil. The best performance material may have the opportunity to test on a field scale!

Join us in this collaboration to optimize carbon capture and shape a sustainable future.

Apply now

About the Challenge

4

years running

20

PARticipating
startups

₪3,4M

in grants
distributed

Repsol Sinopec is pioneering the implementation of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology in Latin America.
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Through its “DAC.SI” project, the company has already started testing the first DAC reactor to capture 15 tons of CO2 per year and, by the end of 2024, a new experimental plant with a capture capacity of up to 300 tons of CO2 per year will be commissioned.
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DAC is a powerful tool in combating climate change, but current carbon adsorption materials face high energy demands, low efficiency, and high costs.
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We invite startups, Universities and R&D institutes to propose innovative adsorbents that are efficient, scalable, and cost-effective.Top 3 applicants will have the opportunity to test their materials from bench to prototype scale in a specialized DAC world class laboratory at PUCRS University, partner in the Repsol Sinopec project. The best-performing materials may move to field-scale testing (~15 tons/year).
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Successful pilots can potentially lead to the exploration of collaboration opportunities.Leverage Repsol Sinopec Brasil’s resources and expertise to advance DAC technology and create a cleaner future

"We're thrilled to partner with SOSA to discover innovative solutions within the Bioeconomy. We're searching for startups developing groundbreaking applications in Forestry, Eucalyptus Biomass, Sustainable Packaging and Carbon Removal. If your venture fits the bill, we encourage you to apply!".

Paula Puzzi, Senior Manager at Suzano Ventures

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Selection criteria:

- Pre-seed to Series A
- Currently raising or interested in exploring the possibility
- Groundbreaking technological innovation within forestry technology, novel applications for eucalyptus biomaterials, sustainable packaging, or carbon removal
- Interest in the Brazilian Market

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Selection criteria:

Technology:

DAC adsorption materials that undergo temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) or vacuum-swing adsorption (VSA). Several classes of adsorbents are potentially promising for direct air capture including but not limited to amine-based sorbents, zeolites, and MOFs.

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Development Stage:

Developed adsorbents that are already contacted in a form factor such as pellets, fibers, filters, monoliths or gel.

TRL ≥ 4 (Materials that have been tested at least in lab scale for the specific application)

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Production Capacity:

The three finalists are required to supply material for prototype testing (up to 60g).

* The budget for production of materials or shipping is not included (the interested party must bear this cost).

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Conditions for participation:

Provide supporting documentation (isotherms, breakthrough testing, heat of adsorption, accelerated aging studies or literature references, etc) to your proposal, indicating that the adsorbent you are developing meets the KPI criteria for the challenge.

Technical Criteria:

Working C02 Capacity

> 1 mmol/g

Contactor Pressure Drop

< 300 Pa

Material Lifetime

> 2 Years

Specific Energy Consumption

< 2000 kWh/t of released CO₂

Levelized Cost of Direct Air Capture

< 300 €/t

Apply now

Program Timeline

Applications
close
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Sept 30

Candidates
Interviews
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Up to Oct 5

Finalists
Selected
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Oct 15

Finalists Technical Interviews

Week of Oct 27

Winners Announced & Program Launch

Nov

We are seeking solutions in:

01.

Eucalyptus Biomaterials

Biocomposites
Biofuels/Biorefinery
New uses for eucalyptus pulp and fluff pulp
Nanomaterial
Lignin

02.

Sustainable Packaging

Paper and/or Cellulose based packaging
Additivation of cellulose to enhance properties for packaging application
Barrier Technologies
Circularity Solutions
Promotion of new business models and distribution

03.

Forestry Technology

Genome informatics
Genome editing technologies
Optimization of agroforestry supplies consumption
Digital management of forests
Development of autonomous and energy-efficient equipment

04.

Carbon Removal

CO₂ removal technologies
CO₂ measurement and calculation
Applications and uses of CO₂
Solutions for CO₂credit compensation
Biochar

Why apply?

Accelerate Development and Testing

Technological solutions chosen will have the opportunity to test their adsorbents in a world-class DAC laboratory at PUCRS University in Rio Grande do Sul.

Collaboration Opportunities

The winner will have the chance to explore potential collaboration opportunities for developing and scaling up your material to capture up to 300 tons of CO2 per year.

Field Scale Testing

After the conclusion of the bench testing, the best-performing adsorption material may have the chance to test at a field scale (~15 tons per year).

Intellectual Property Assurance

All testing results will be shared with you, and the material or composition of matter IP will remain solely yours, regulated through a Material Transfer Agreement. Repsol Sinopec Brazil or any affiliated partner will not claim new Intellectual Property based on the benchmarking testing results carried out at PUCRS University.

Access a Global Network of Opportunities

By applying, you'll be plugged into SOSA's extensive global network, gaining access to exclusive partnership opportunities with corporations worldwide. Stay connected and seize high-intent collaboration opportunities.

Apply now

Let’s Talk

If you have any questions, contact us at: shani.y@sosa.co

Apply now

About Repsol Sinopec Brasil

Repsol Sinopec Brasil is a leading player in the Brazilian energy sector. Formed by a joint venture between Repsol, a multinational leader in the energy sector in Spain, and Sinopec, China's largest oil and petrochemical company, they leverage global expertise for success in Brazil's prolific pre-salt reserves.
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Repsol Sinopec Brasil is committed to responsible development and contributes to Brazil's energy security through innovation and a focus on environmental and social responsibility.

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About SOSA

SOSA is an open innovation company.

SOSA works with innovation teams and business units in corporations (like HP, Schneider Electric, RBC, Swiss Re, and Zurich Insurance), and governments (like Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan).

Our work includes conducting research, developing strategies, and scouting and validating technologies to provide clients with tailored partnerships to solve their business problems, identify opportunities, and/or build new products. Over the years, we have collaborated with more than 100 corporate partners on over 900 projects to scout and develop partnerships with emerging tech companies from inception to completion, engaging with more than 13,000 global tech companies.

About Energy Hub

Energy Hub, developed by Sai do Papel, is the largest energy startup hub in Brazil.

Sai do Papel is an innovation and investment group that supports corporations, startups, and investors with innovative solutions, turning ideas into reality.

We actively manage a database of over 500 Energy Tech and IndTech startups in Brazil, with more than 170 startups connected to the Energy Hub, 18 resident startups, 4 major sponsors, and a community of over 6,000 people. In the past four years, we have developed over 20 innovation projects with key companies in the energy sector.

Located at Arca Hub, a promoter of Carioca innovation, we provide a collaborative space where innovation thrives, facilitating exchanges and connections among startups, corporations, universities, government, and investors.

Join the ranks of our successful alumni club.

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Idan Shimon

First cohort of The Innofense Accelerator

“I highly recommend the SOSA accelerator program. Through the program, we were able to refine our product at a critical stage and introduce our product to the defense ecosystem. The program’s grant and introduction to key investment took us to the next level.”

Why apply?

New Partnership Opportunities

Essity is actively looking to partner with cutting-edge solutions to enhance its suite of hygiene products. Companies that meet this use case's criteria will have the opportunity to work directly with Essity's team to explore commercial and co-development opportunities.

Access to a Global Network

All applicants will be indexed in SOSA's technology database, regardless of whether or not they are a fit for this use case. As a member of SOSA's database, you'll have the chance to gain exclusive access to high intent partnerships with corporations from around the globe. (edited)

Apply now

Repsol Sinopec Tech Challenge: CO₂ Adsorption Materials

Get the opportunity to test your DAC adsorption materials at field scale
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