Caravel Bio announced new progress in developing protein engineering technology aimed at reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of carbon capture, a key challenge in climate mitigation.

The company said it has increased the stability of its engineered biocatalysts by 12 times within six months, marking a significant technical milestone as it works to commercialize its platform.

Caravel is participating in the Shell GameChanger program, where it is receiving funding to evaluate how its technology could enable more cost-effective carbon capture systems.

Traditional carbon capture technologies have faced challenges in scaling due to high costs, particularly from the energy needed to separate captured carbon dioxide. Many existing systems rely on amine-based solvents, which require large amounts of heat to release CO₂, driving up operating costs.

Caravel’s approach focuses on replacing amines with potassium bicarbonate, a solvent that can significantly reduce energy requirements. However, the use of potassium bicarbonate has historically been limited by the high cost and performance constraints of enzymes needed to make the process effective.

The company said its proprietary protein engineering platform addresses this challenge by creating more robust and affordable enzymes. The system combines cell-free protein synthesis with advanced bioengineering techniques to rapidly test and optimize large numbers of protein variants.

Founder and CEO Trevor Nicks said the technology allows enzymes to perform more efficiently under industrial conditions, improving their commercial viability.

Caravel launched in October 2025 and has received a $7.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation, along with backing from several venture investors.

The company said it aims to unify protein discovery and deployment into a single process, helping move innovations more quickly from research to industrial application.

In addition to carbon capture, Caravel’s platform has potential applications in sectors including chemical manufacturing and animal health, as industries seek more sustainable and cost-efficient technologies.

The announcement comes as policymakers and industry leaders continue to push for more scalable carbon capture solutions, with incentives such as federal tax credits supporting deployment if costs can be reduced.

Caravel Bio.css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}

Latest Articles

Caravel Bio advances protein engineering to lower costs of carbon capture

Caravel Bio