Green Hydrogen and Marine Carbon Removal Get US$11.6M Boost from Temasek Trust’s C3H
Temasek Trust’s C3H leads US$11.6M Series A in Equatic to scale seawater electrolysis for marine carbon removal and green hydrogen production.
On August 12, 2025, in Singapore, Temasek Trust’s Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H) led a US$11.6 million Series A round for Equatic, the U.S.-based pioneer in marine carbon removal. Kibo Invest co-led the deal, which drew in a diverse mix of institutional, philanthropic and private backers from Asia, Europe and North America.
This latest injection builds on Equatic’s early philanthropic boost from Temasek Foundation’s The Liveability Challenge in 2021 and its nod as a 2024 Earthshot Prize finalist. After successful pilots with PUB in Singapore and in Los Angeles, Equatic is gearing up to leap from R&D to its first standalone commercial facility—aiming to remove 100 kilotonnes of CO₂ a year while churning out green hydrogen.
Deal Highlights
- Lead investor: Temasek Trust’s C3H catalytic capital vehicle
- Co-lead: Kibo Invest, private climate-tech backer
- Participants: Aga Khan Foundation, Stacey Nicholas, Adam McKay, Lee Cooper, Grantham Neglected Climate Opportunities
- Round size: US$11.6 million Series A
- Use of funds: Engineering of first 100 ktpa CDR & hydrogen facility, manufacturing scale-up, regulatory approvals
- MRV framework: ISO 14064-aligned, validated by Isometric & Puro.earth for high-integrity carbon removal credits
Why It Matters
With net-zero targets tightening around the globe, pairing robust carbon removal with scalable green hydrogen production is a real game-changer. Equatic’s method supercharges the ocean’s natural CO₂ drawdown by running seawater through electrolysis, which not only locks away CO₂ in stable minerals but also frees up clean hydrogen for industrial use. And by embedding an ISO 14064-aligned MRV system, certified by Isometric and Puro.earth, the company tackles one of the biggest headaches in the sector: delivering rock-solid, credible carbon removal credits that regulators and buyers can truly bank on.
Technical Snapshot
At its core, Equatic’s patented process spins seawater through an electrolyser, splitting it into oxygen and hydrogen, which raises the local pH and triggers the formation of long-lasting carbonate minerals. Those minerals dissolve slowly, sequestering CO₂ permanently, while the liberated hydrogen gets tapped for hydrogen production, energy storage or chemical feeds. Pilots in Los Angeles and Singapore ran non-stop, proving the tech’s stability and syncing seamlessly with ISO 14064-based MRV protocols.
Company Journey
Founded by Gaurav N. Sant, Equatic (previously known as SeaChange) has sprinted from a bench-scale idea to a serious carbon removal contender in under five years. A win in Temasek Foundation’s Liveability Challenge in 2021 bankrolled early tests; by 2022, a PUB pilot in Singapore nailed down brine management and mineral yield data. A simultaneous demonstration in L.A. confirmed the energy metrics and operational performance, setting the stage for that 2024 Earthshot nod.
Market Implications
This Series A is a clear signal that investors are hungry for projects that bundle carbon removal with green hydrogen output. With global hydrogen demand forecast to top 10 million tonnes by 2030, marrying revenue from high-integrity carbon credits with hydrogen offtake deals can seriously boost project bankability. Industries that struggle to cut emissions—think steel, chemicals and refining—could lock in these dual benefits to hedge climate risks. Plus, standardizing trustworthy MRV practices at scale lays the groundwork for a more resilient carbon market.
Strategic Outlook
Building out large-scale ocean electrolysis plants won’t be a walk in the park. Equatic’s US$11.6 million funding chunk goes toward detailed engineering, procurement and construction, ramping up their in-house electrolyser manufacturing, and steering through coastal permitting hoops. Securing reliable renewable power to keep the hydrogen truly zero-emission remains a make-or-break factor in the project’s economics.
Looking Ahead
Equatic is aiming to break ground on its first 100 ktpa facility within the next 18 to 24 months, pending final approvals and investment greenlights. Watch for updates on commissioning timelines, capex performance and the first batch of marine carbon removal credits hitting the market. If Equatic pulls this off, it could write the playbook for future dual-purpose climate tech—marrying marine carbon removal with green hydrogen at a commercial scale.
