California-based maritime emissions capture and control company STAX Engineering has secured $70m in funding led by Firstime Credit and Deutsche Bank Private Credit & Infrastructure to expand emissions capture technology and the launch of new carbon capture trials with onboard carbon capture technology company Seabound.
The $70m investment – $60m in debt financing provided by Firstime Credit and Deutsche Bank Private Credit & Infrastructure and $10m through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) will, reportedly, drive the commercialization of STAX’s next-generation solutions while supporting ongoing trials.
As for the carbon capture trials, which are already underway at the Port of Los Angeles, STAX Engineering said that integrate Seabound’s compact and cost-effective carbon dioxide capture system with STAX’s mobile emissions control units.
“After pollutants are filtered by STAX technology, the ship’s exhaust is directed through Seabound’s capture unit, isolating and storing both carbon and sulfur before the clean exhaust gas enters the atmosphere, reducing the vessel’s greenhouse gas footprint. Early results are promising, reinforcing the feasibility of integrating carbon capture into STAX’s systems, with full-scale deployment planned for late 2025,” STAX Engineering explained.
In parallel with the funding, STAX has signed new multi-year contracts with the container shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K-Line), a Japanese shipping company, specialist in containers, bulk cargo, and automotive logistics, expanding its footprint across the shipping industry.
“We’re building real momentum at STAX, and this funding marks a pivotal moment for both our company and the maritime industry,” said Michael Walker, CEO of STAX Engineering.
He added: “As we pursue expanding our carbon capture capabilities to drive the industry toward cleaner, more sustainable practices, our inaugural partnership with Seabound is pivotal.
“At the same time, new partnerships with ZIM and K-Line reflect rising demand for our emissions capture and control technology, helping us scale our impact across global fleets. Through these partnerships, we’re accelerating our vision to capture 1% of global emissions and set a new standard for carbon capture adoption across shipping and beyond.”
The company emphasized that its technology attaches to all vessel classes without requiring retrofits, capturing exhaust and removing 99% of particulate matter (PM) and 95% of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
To meet demand, STAX aims to expand into additional U.S. and international ports.
The company also revealed that it is evaluating several “best-in-class carbon capture solutions” ahead of the fleet-wide rollout in late 2025.
