Paris-based Spark Cleantech has successfully closed a €30 million Series A funding round to advance its industrial decarbonization technology. The investment, led by 360 Capital and Taranis, will accelerate the scale-up of its unique pulsed plasmolysis process. This capital injection marks a pivotal moment for the company as it prepares to commercialize its solution for heavy industries by 2027.
A Novel Approach to Industrial Decarbonization
Spark Cleantech has developed a breakthrough technology that intercepts hydrocarbons like natural gas before they are burned in industrial furnaces. Using proprietary pulsed plasma, the system separates the gas into clean-burning hydrogen and solid carbon. This innovative process allows industries to decarbonize their high-temperature operations with minimal changes to existing infrastructure.
The technology yields two valuable decarbonized products from a single source, multiplying its economic value four-fold. The resulting hydrogen provides a clean fuel source directly on-site, while the solid carbon is a high-grade nanomaterial. This carbon byproduct serves as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived materials used in battery and polymer manufacturing.
Significant Economic and Environmental Impact
The company's solution offers a compelling path for industries under pressure to reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing profitability. By converting a low-cost hydrocarbon into two high-value materials, the process creates a strong economic incentive for adoption. This approach directly addresses the critical challenge of making the green transition financially sustainable for industrial operators.
Spark Cleantech's technology is currently being piloted with major clients across metallurgy, glassmaking, and battery manufacturing. The on-site production model eliminates the significant costs and logistical hurdles associated with transporting and storing hydrogen. This decentralized system provides a practical and efficient decarbonization solution tailored for large industrial energy consumers.
Strategic Funding for Commercial Rollout
The new €30 million in capital is earmarked to transition the company from its successful pilot phase to full commercial readiness. A key objective is to finalize and operate the first full-scale production module before its wider deployment across client facilities. The funding will also be used to qualify the company's first commercial grades of solid carbon.
To facilitate this growth, the company plans to expand its team with approximately 20 new hires in engineering, R&D, and business development roles. With advanced discussions underway with several industrial partners, Spark Cleantech is on track to deploy its first commercial units by 2027. This strategic expansion will enable the company to meet the growing demand for effective decarbonization technologies.
Investor Confidence in a Pragmatic Vision
The funding round, which also included the Île-de-France Reindustrialisation Fund and existing investor Asterion Ventures, signals strong market confidence. Investors have praised the company's pragmatic focus on creating a solution that is both technologically robust and economically competitive. This dual emphasis is considered crucial for achieving widespread adoption and meaningful impact in hard-to-abate sectors.
With its latest funding, Spark Cleantech is poised to become a key player in the global effort to decarbonize heavy industry. The company’s innovative plasmolysis technology provides a rare combination of significant emissions reduction and enhanced economic value. This positions Spark Cleantech to deliver a scalable and commercially attractive solution essential for the future of sustainable industrial production.