6K is a startup that has developed an advanced microwave-based plasma process to produce advanced materials called UniMelt. With $352 million in venture funding and an additional $134 million in government funding, the company is using its technology to fight forever chemicals, also known as PFAS. This technology uses extreme heat of 6,000 degrees, reactive radicals from microwave and UV light emitted by the plasma, to zap forever chemicals in just two seconds. The company sees potential in cleaning water, cleaning up firefighting foam at military sites and airports, and getting rid of forever chemicals at semiconductor plants. The technology is modular and can work on liquids, gases, and solids.
Saurabh Ullal, who holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from UC Santa Barbara, took over as CEO of 6K in August. He stated that there are different segments of the market that the company can impact in terms of PFAS destruction. The company hopes to sign up its first commercial development partner by the end of the year. JP Majcher, who runs the technology for 6K Pure, emphasized that their technology has a closed-loop process with no emissions and no liability of losing fluorine in the process. This sets their technology apart from incumbent technologies that have tried to reduce forever chemicals with plasma but were too expensive or couldn’t scale.
Adam Neumann’s climate tech startup Flowcarbon has been refunding investors after failing to launch its “Goddess Nature Token,” which was backed 1:1 by carbon credits. The company raised $70 million in funding to bring carbon credits onto the blockchain but has faced challenges in realizing this mission. Flowcarbon has cited market conditions and resistance from carbon registries as reasons for refunding buyers’ funds instead of continuing to hold them indefinitely. This startup has been struggling for years to launch its token, which would tokenize carbon credits and make it easier for anyone to participate in the carbon market.
Steven Cohen, senior advisor at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, shared insights on the impact of the U.S. election on environmental policy and the clean energy transition. He stated that if federal environmental rules are eased or not enforced, there is a risk that many companies will slow or reverse efforts to develop more sustainable practices. However, he also emphasized that companies that pay attention to their environmental impact tend to be more profitable and integrate environmental values into their business practices. He pointed out companies like Land O’Lakes and Walmart as examples of businesses integrating better environmental practices into their operations.
The U.S. is set to get its first electric bullet train factory, and a clean fuels tax credit is likely to be introduced by the end of the Biden administration. The world is on track to set a heat record for 2024 after the warmest northern summer, and human activity now fuels two-thirds of global methane emissions. Climate change is making farming easier in Alaska, and efforts are being made to address food waste and sustainable beef consumption. Investors are also looking into technology for hog waste ponds to solve AI’s water problems. The article also highlights the challenges faced by states in cutting food waste and the possibility of gas stoves coming with a health warning label in California.
