Alkmaar-based DOPS Recycling Technologies has raised €5 million in seed funding to accelerate the development and scaling of its innovative Direct Carbon Immobilisation (DCI) technology, which converts waste and biomass into valuable raw materials while significantly cutting CO₂ emissions.
The round was backed by a group of climate-focused investors including the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund, ROM InWest, North Holland Innovation Fund, Init Power, CarbonFix, and Alphatron.
“DOPS is helping reshape the future of waste by turning it into a resource,” said Jesse In ’t Velt, Senior Investment Manager at the Rotterdam Energy Transition Fund. “Their robust gasification technology offers an efficient, scalable alternative to waste incineration.”
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Turning Waste into Circular Value
Each year, the Netherlands incinerates around 8 million tons of waste, resulting in substantial carbon emissions and loss of recoverable materials. DOPS’ proprietary DCI technology addresses this challenge by:
- Heating waste and biomass to 1,000°C in an oxygen-free reactor
- Breaking down hydrocarbons into carbon monoxide and hydrogen
- Converting over 90% of input materials into syngas, carbon-based products, and other industrial feedstocks
The syngas produced can be reused in industrial processes, serve as a heat source, or be turned into methanol and sustainable fuels, supporting both decarbonization and circular economy goals.
DOPS’ technology is modular, scalable, and capable of processing a wide range of waste streams — even those with no existing sustainable alternatives. Specialized refractory materials and heat recovery systems also ensure cost-effective operation, even at smaller volumes.
What’s Next for DOPS Recycling Technologies
The newly secured capital will be used to:
- Construct a modular pilot unit (M-DCI) to validate full-system performance
- Support a final investment decision for the first full-scale plant in collaboration with industrial partners
Since launching in 2021, DOPS Recycling Technologies has participated in the Green Chemistry Accelerator and received backing from the Energy & Climate Innovation Programme, both designed to help startups scale sustainable industrial solutions.
“Waste doesn’t have to be the end of the line—it can be the beginning of something valuable,” said Michiel Spits, CEO of DOPS. “With this investment, we’ll scale our solution and help build a more sustainable, circular future.”
DOPS Recycling Technologies is positioning itself as a key player in the transition to a low-carbon, circular industrial economy, offering an innovative solution for waste recovery and clean material production.
