In an effort to limit air pollution caused by cargo ships in the world’s vast container shipping industry, the relevant international shipping guidelines are to be tightened. Thanks to catalyst-free technology developed by the start-up Daphne Technology, shipping companies can now comply with emissions regulations. The technique is based on nanotechnology and designed specifically for ocean-going vessels.

The system avoids emissions

Daphne Technology’s “NanoScrubber” can reduce sulphur oxide emissions by 99.3% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85%. If all container ships were to use the technology, 10,500 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 3.75 million tonnes of nitrogen oxide could be saved globally.

What is more, the NanoScrubber can be used without the need for shipping companies to switch to a different type of fuel. In this way, costs for the shipping company owners are reasonable. The technology also offers a useful by-product: fertiliser that can be used in the agricultural sector. The sulphur dioxide captured can be reused and doesn’t simply end up in the sea as is the case with other scrubber systems.

Added value for the insurance industry

Primary and reinsurance solutions play an important role for Daphne Technology’s prospective clients in the shipping industry. Daphne Technology aims to work with Munich Re and ERGO as part of the Climate-KIC programme to examine suitable insurance solutions.

The team behind Daphne Technology

The Swiss start-up emanates from the École polytechnique fédérale (EPFL) in Lausanne and has been headquartered at the EPFL Innovation Park campus since 2017. It developed the NanoScrubber with support from the Swiss Plasma Center and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Co-founders Mario Michan (CEO) and Björn Asplind (CTO) intend to bring their “air purifier” to market in 2019. Both have a Master of Science, Mario Michan also has a PhD in Physics, and Björn Asplind has over 15 years of experience in the shipping industry.

Daphne Technology won over the experts

Munich Re and ERGO were particularly impressed by the fact that the sulphur dioxide filtered out by the NanoScrubber does not simply end up in the sea as it so often does. Daphne Technology expects to be able to reuse the sulphur dioxide in agriculture. That was a further bonus point for the innovative start-up. Staff from Munich Re and ERGO are looking forward to working with Daphne Technology and hope that, together, they can successfully advance the environmentally friendly technology.

Further information is available at: www.daphnetechnology.com