Langh Tech, a Finnish green technology company, has unveiled an innovative onboard carbon capture (OCC) system to reduce CO2 emissions from ships. This solution supports maritime decarbonisation, reduces emissions, and generates economic value by producing sodium carbonate for industrial use.
The OCC system extracts carbon dioxide from ship exhaust gases and converts it into sodium carbonate, a stable byproduct. This byproduct can be marketed for applications in glass production and detergent manufacturing, supporting a circular economy.
Pilot Success and Commercial Rollout
In 2024, Langh Tech successfully tested its OCC system aboard a vessel operated by its sister company, Langh Ship. The trial achieved an 80% carbon capture rate from exhaust gases, which, depending on the ship’s design and available space, translated to an overall CO2 emissions reduction of 20-30%.
Following this success, Langh Tech plans to begin commercial installations in early 2025. Damen Shipyards Group has procured the OCC components for integration, and will equip four bulk carriers with hybrid scrubbers and OCC systems.
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Industry Collaboration for Decarbonization
Atal Solutions, BAM Shipping, and Damen Shipyards are spearheading a project to retrofit ships to enhance fuel efficiency and cut emissions. The initiative targets a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by optimizing OCC systems, vessel performance, and operational practices.
Rutger van Dam, Business Development Manager at Damen Shipyards Group said, “The decision to choose Langh Tech was simple. CO2Â capturing is the only economic way to drastically reduce emissions as of now. My main concern was the value of the CO2Â end product being created onboard the ship.
He added, “Langh Tech delivered on every front: a high capture rate, a high-value CO2 end product, and a significant reduction in emissions. From a commercial perspective, it made perfect sense. On a personal note, we share the same vision and goal: to greenify the global fleet. That alignment made Langh Tech the natural choice.”
Also read: Svante Secures Funding from InBC Investment Corp. to Boost Carbon Capture Efforts
Langh Tech’s onboard carbon capture system combines sustainability and operational efficiency, supporting the circular economy by enabling industries to create value from sodium carbonate and reduce waste. It is resource-efficient, avoiding solvent regeneration and CO2 compression, which reduces energy use compared to amine-based systems.
Using familiar maritime chemicals, the system ensures safe operations without specialized equipment. The system is scalable and customizable, adapting to various vessels and integrating easily into existing ship infrastructure.
