Climate CEOs: Scaling Startups Carbon Capture: $32M Invested, 50% Lower Costs, MIT Tech [👏 Interview]
Nov 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Cam Halliday, co-founder and CEO of Mantle Capture and an MIT-trained chemical engineer, dives deep into innovative molten-borate carbon capture technology. He shares insights on reducing carbon capture costs by up to 50% and discusses the advantages of high-temperature capture methods. Cam explains the importance of recovering usable heat and the unique properties of borate materials in CO2 binding. He reflects on his journey from research to entrepreneurship, along with essential advice for aspiring innovators in the climate tech sector.
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High-Temperature Capture Creates Value
- Mantle's high-temperature process produces steam instead of consuming it, turning capture into value creation.
- Recovering high-grade heat shifts carbon capture from waste management to energy production.
Cost Threshold For Commercial Adoption
- Conventional amine capture costs roughly $100–$150 per ton including capture, compression, transport, and storage.
- Mantle targets a ~50–60% cost reduction to get below ~$100/ton, making projects financially attractive.
Recoverable Energy Comes From Reversible Chemistry
- Absorption releases as much energy as regeneration consumes, but typical amine systems release low-grade heat.
- Doing capture at high temperature makes that absorption energy high-grade and recoverable.
