Global corporation Mitsubishi Electric has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with VTT – Northern Europe’s largest research and development institute based in Finland, agreeing to cooperate on the development of nature-positive technologies, inducing direct ocean capture (DOC).
This high-profile collaboration between two well-established organizations signals trust in the potential of DOC technology and the meaningful impact it could have in the global fight against climate change.
Led by Antti Arasto, Vice President of VTT, this shared initiative will focus on advancing technology that will remove carbon dioxide directly from seawater.
Our planet’s oceans currently face the problem of acidification, a state in which the pH balance of the water is compromised due to the large amount of CO2 absorbed from the atmosphere. When the water is very acidic, it poses a threat to the survival of marine ecosystems, endangering not only water-based species but also economic activities like the fishing industry.
Acknowledging this one and many similar pressing ecological concerns, Mitsubishi has embarked on the partnership with VTT as part of their broader sustainability strategy, which includes active carbon capture and removal through the development of CDR technology.
The corporation has set a net-zero value chain emissions target that it will strive to achieve by the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2051. Their strategic efforts stretch beyond the limits of their existing businesses and organizations, aiming to nurture synergistic businesses that will boost the company’s growth, unlocking benefits for nature and society.
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Seiji Oguro, Executive Officer, Vice President of Sustainability Innovation Group, Mitsubishi Electric, commented, “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.”
Oguro said that by entering this MOU with VTT, both partners hope to contribute to a nature-positive world, sharing that Mitsubishi chose VTT as a partner based on their proven innovation track record and vast R&D and commercialization capabilities.
On behalf of VTT, Antti Arasto stated that this is exactly the kind of challenge they need for their research to achieve radical breakthroughs.
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