Ocean Technology Startup Gigablue Faces Scientific Skepticism After Selling 200,000 Carbon Credits
By Helen Wieffering and The Associated Press
In 2024, ocean technology startup Gigablue made headlines by announcing a significant milestone: the sale of 200,000 carbon credits aimed at combating climate change through an innovative method of carbon sequestration in the ocean. Founded three years ago by Israeli entrepreneurs, the company claims it has engineered proprietary particles that, when released into the ocean, facilitate the trapping of carbon dioxide (CO2) at the ocean floor—a process they say could be revolutionary in addressing global warming.
The Technology and Its Promise
Gigablue’s technology revolves around specialized particles designed to float in ocean waters and promote the growth of phytoplankton—tiny algae known for their ability to absorb CO2 from the water. As these algal blooms grow, they purportedly incorporate carbon into their biomass, which then sinks to the ocean bottom, effectively removing CO2 from the atmosphere and sequestering it for centuries.
Gigablue co-founder Ori Shaashua describes their innovation metaphorically as an “elevator for carbon,” transferring carbon from the ocean surface to its depths. The startup envisions continuously releasing "pulses" of these particles in designated “sequestration fields” in cooperation with local authorities. Their goal is ambitious: to remove one gigaton (one billion metric tons) of CO2 annually to help mitigate climate change.
Priced competitively to attract investors, Gigablue claims their method generates hundreds of thousands of carbon credits with each ocean operation. These credits symbolize the removal of one metric ton of CO2 and are traded in carbon markets. The company’s recent sale of 200,000 credits—the largest to date for any ocean-based climate startup—was made to SkiesFifty, a company investing in sustainable aviation.
Doubts From the Scientific Community
Despite Gigablue’s enthusiasm and commercial success, the startup faces skepticism from ocean and climate scientists concerned about the transparency and efficacy of the technology. Many experts question whether the particles and algae indeed result in long-term carbon sequestration or if the CO2 might just return to the atmosphere due to natural oceanic processes.
The scientific tension highlights broader challenges within the carbon credit industry, which often operates with limited regulation and involves complex environmental mechanisms that can be difficult to verify. Some critics warn of the risk of “greenwashing,” where companies falsely claim carbon offsetting benefits without robust scientific validation.
Jimmy Pallas, an event organizer based in Italy who purchased credits from Gigablue to offset emissions from a large event, expressed a cautious trust in the company. “It’s like an extra trash can where I discard my unwanted emissions,” he said—conceding that he does not follow the detailed process of sequestration but relies on Gigablue’s assurances.
Proprietary Materials and Limited Disclosure
Key to skepticism is Gigablue’s proprietary approach; the startup has not publicly disclosed the specific composition of the particles it uses, citing competitive reasons and environmental customization according to location and season. Records show that initial trials off New Zealand involved materials such as vermiculite (a natural clay), ground rock, plant-based wax, and metals including manganese and iron.
A recently published patent indicates the particles could incorporate a broad array of natural and synthetic substances ranging from cotton and rice husks to synthetic fibers and multiple metals. While these components are described as natural and environmentally safe by company representatives, outside experts call for more transparency and peer-reviewed studies to verify these claims.
Team and Expansion
Gigablue was founded by a group of tech entrepreneurs with backgrounds in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and environmental sciences. CEO Ori Shaashua has a history of applying AI to public health and automotive sectors, now turning his expertise toward climate solutions. Chief Technology Officer Sapir Markus-Alford, an earth and environmental sciences graduate, was inspired to develop ocean-based carbon removal after witnessing climate impacts on marine ecosystems firsthand.
The company’s team has expanded from Israel to hubs in New York and New Zealand and includes outside experts with Ph.D.s across biology, chemistry, oceanography, and environmental science disciplines.
The Road Ahead
Gigablue aims to ramp up particle deployment this year, targeting the capture of 10 metric tons of CO2 for each ton of particles released into the ocean. This scaling could see tens of thousands of tons of particles introduced into marine environments annually.
However, as it grows, the startup will need to address the scientific doubts and regulatory challenges that currently cast a shadow over the carbon offset market’s credibility. Without clear, independent verification of its methods and environmental safety, Gigablue’s grand vision of harnessing natural ocean processes to combat climate change risks remaining contested.
For now, the company’s message remains focused on environmental optimism and investment potential, inviting new employees and partners to “Join Our Mission to Save the World” amid intensifying climate urgency.
Image caption: Circular structures called booms containing engineered particles by Gigablue float near a research vessel in the Pacific Ocean off Dunedin, New Zealand, as part of a project aimed at growing phytoplankton to absorb carbon dioxide from ocean waters. (Gigablue via AP)
