Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. to collaborate on the development of key “nature-positive” technologies, starting with direct ocean capture (DOC) technology. The partnership aims to remove CO2 from seawater, addressing ocean acidification and contributing to global carbon neutrality efforts.
VTT, Northern Europe’s largest research institute, and Mitsubishi Electric will work together to develop DOC, a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technology that not only reduces CO2 levels in the ocean but also helps prevent ocean acidification, which threatens marine life and industries like fishing. Ocean acidification occurs as oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, decreasing their pH and harming ecosystems.
Mitsubishi Electric aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2051 and is actively pursuing technologies to reduce and remove CO2. This collaboration with VTT represents a significant step in their effort to mitigate climate change through innovative CDR solutions.
Looking ahead, Mitsubishi Electric plans to accelerate the development of DOC technology and expand its environmental initiatives in collaboration with VTT to address global environmental challenges.
DSc (Tech) Antti Arasto, Vice President of VTT and Project Leader of this collaboration said, “We are proud and humbled that Mitsubishi Electric has selected us as one of their cooperation partners, acknowledging VTT’s excellency in research and development of nature-positive technologies that include groundbreaking results in carbon capture. We share the same goal to drastically improve the state of maritime ecosystems. Our experts are excited as this is exactly the kind of challenge that research needs to make radical breakthroughs.”
Seiji Oguro, Executive Officer, Vice President, Sustainability Innovation Group, Mitsubishi Electric said, “Based on our fundamental principle of ‘addressing social challenges through our business,’ we are convinced that this strategic collaboration with VTT will further accelerate our efforts in creating new businesses contributing to ‘Trade-On (mutual benefits)’ activities. We selected VTT because we have recognised their high R&D capabilities and commercialisation mindset, which have led to a proven track record of creating new innovations. By combining the capabilities of both organisations, we are jointly embarking on the challenge to realise a nature-positive world.”
