BRGM Invest acquires a stake in start-up CaliCO2

CaliCO2 has raised over €1.5 million to bring to market an innovative carbon capture technology.

6 November 2025

Hydroxydes doubles lamellaires.

Founded in March 2025, CaliCO₂ is a partnership between 4elements, a start-up studio, BRGM researchers Stéphanie Betelu and Alain Séron, and BRGM Invest, the investment arm of BRGM. Its purpose is to develop and market an innovative process for capturing and releasing CO₂. A winner of i-Lab 2025, the innovation competition organised by BpiFrance, CaliCO₂ is seeking to set the standard in carbon capture for industrial players emitting large quantities of CO₂ in their flue gases (cement manufacturers, steel producers, waste incineration companies, etc.).

Promoting new technology with a view to its deployment in industry

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) solutions play an important role in the scenarios drafted by the International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Without efficient carbon capture solutions, it will be impossible to achieve the "net zero" scenario by 2050.

The technology deployed by CaliCO₂ is the result of over 20 years of studies by BRGM researchers, who have filed six patents with an exclusive licence of operation.

Their electrolysis-assisted process involves capturing and releasing CO₂ using layered double hydroxides (LDHs).

Over €1.5M raised to make CaliCO₂ the market standard

In order to position France among the leaders in the field of carbon capture, CaliCO₂ has raised just over €1.5m from 4elements, BRGM Invest and Bpifrance. Its ambition is to capture over 3 Mt of CO₂ by 2037.

Testimonies

CaliCO2 requires less energy than the current benchmark processes used in carbon capture and is therefore cheaper. It also uses materials that are far more environmentally friendly than those of its competitors.

Jean-Baptiste Goffart, co-founder of CaliCO2

CaliCO2 is a major innovation developed and patented by BRGM researchers to meet societal expectations in terms of lower atmospheric CO2 emissions.

Frédéric Jory, Managing Director of BRGM Invest

The funds raised will allow us to accelerate the industrial roll-out of our technology and build a team capable of supporting our future industrial partners.

Vanessa Amaral de Oliveira, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CaliCO2

About 4elements

4elements is a start-up studio dedicated to the climate transition in Europe. Its mission is to identify, create and finance high-impact start-up projects addressing established or emerging market needs and implementing cutting-edge technologies. Its ambition is to foster the emergence of new leaders in climate tech, as part of the climate transition. 4Elements has five portfolio holdings and an integrated investment fund.

About BRGM Invest

BRGM Invest is BRGM's investment holding company. It supports and invests in innovative projects in the fields of mineral resources, the environment and geosciences.

Start-up CaliCO₂ wins national i-Lab 2025 competition

On 14 October, CaliCO₂ was named as a prizewinner in France’s national innovation competitions for 2024-2025. Divided into three categories, these competitions recognise the innovative projects most likely to become champions in their respective fields, and provides them with a real springboard for growth.

Set up to recognise the work of French researchers and entrepreneurs, the innovation competitions are financed by the French government via France 2030 and organised on behalf of the government by Bpifrance in collaboration with ADEME. Comprising three categories, the competitions support projects at the research stage (i-PhD section), through creation (i-Lab), to growth (i-Nov).

This year, the start-up CaliCO₂ was one of the winners in the i-Lab category.

Find out more about the 2025 winners of France’s national innovation competitions