DOE supports DioQuest carbon capture

With a singular purpose of reimagining and revolutionizing sustainable technologies, Semplastics subsidiary DioQuest has been awarded $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue to focus its research on capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide in practical applications.

"Our DioQuest technology not only allows large volumes of CO2 to be permanently locked away, but we are also able to take the waste streams and create sustainable products such as important building materials," said Semplastics and DioQuest CEO Bill Easter.

Launched in 2021, DioQuest joins a line of Semplastics companies like X-MAT, which is transforming coal into clean and efficient building materials, and X-BATT, which is recycling spent lithium-ion batteries into new products, on the road to clean and sustainable materials that could be the top choice for homes of the future.

For its efforts, DioQuest received a $250,000 DOE grant to continue its research and development of high-quality products from sequestered CO2.

Taking carbon emissions from point source as well as direct air capture, DioQuest's process can permanently lock away CO2. However, instead of pumping it deep into the earth, the company is taking carbon sequestration one step further – transforming the greenhouse gas into a beneficial product.

Currently, the company has managed to produce prototype panels made up of nearly 30% mass-sequestered CO2, culminating in carbon-negative building materials that provide a green alternative to traditional products while simultaneously exceeding the performance.

From facades to panels and tiles, constructing a future home with reclaimed coal waste roofing tiles from X-MAT and carbon-sequestered flooring from DioQuest, these "green-" houses will allow one to offset their carbon footprint in a sustainable and conscientious way.

As part of a larger US$72 million program to fund small businesses in the pursuit of scientific, clean energy, and climate research, DOE selected Semplastics as one of the many recipients, something not uncommon for the company, which has been awarded through multiple programs and funding opportunities by the federal agency.

Aiming to support 296 projects across 44 states, the latest round of funding will target multiple topic areas, such as renewable energy, nuclear energy, cybersecurity, advanced materials and manufacturing, microelectronics, and artificial intelligence.

"America's small businesses have always played a critical role in moving our nation forward, and this entrepreneurial spirit helped establish America as a global leader in science and innovation," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "President Biden understands this, which is why DOE is providing companies coast to coast with resources to develop game changing solutions to tackle the climate crisis and build a clean energy future."

In its time, Semplastics has secured over $14 million in grants and contracts for its research and technologies with its portfolio of companies. With the latest addition, Semplastics is taking another step toward its goal of showing the greener side of carbon by transforming coal and greenhouse gases into new materials for buildings and performative products such as lithium-ion batteries.

"As the U.S. moves toward clean energy and a lower carbon future DioQuest can help," said Easter.