OCOchem Nears Launch of CO2-to-Chemicals Pilot Plant

A Washington-based startup is getting ready to take a big step in turning carbon emissions into something useful — and potentially profitable.

OCOchem, a clean-tech company focused on converting captured carbon dioxide into industrial chemicals, is wrapping up construction of its pilot facility in Eastern Washington. The 40,000-square-foot plant, located in Richland, is expected to go live in the coming months, marking a key milestone for the company.

Once operational, the plant will use specialized electrolyzer cells to transform CO2 into formic acid and other formate compounds. These materials can act as alternatives to petroleum-based inputs and be used in a range of applications, including clean hydrogen fuel, animal feed, and fertilizers.

According to CEO and co-founder Todd Brix, the company plans to begin sending sample products to potential customers later this year — a move that could help validate both the technology and its commercial potential.

Founded in 2017, OCOchem has so far raised $7.5 million from investors, along with an additional $8.3 million in government grants. The company currently employs 18 people and has built partnerships with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, several universities, and industrial players.

The startup has already made significant technical progress. In collaboration with the U.S. Army, OCOchem successfully scaled its technology tenfold last year. The new pilot plant is expected to push those capabilities even further by operating at larger scales.

While the team continues to refine its process to improve efficiency and reduce costs, Brix noted that the “technical risk” has decreased considerably as the company moves into this next phase.

Looking ahead, OCOchem’s long-term strategy is to set up its systems alongside facilities that capture carbon dioxide — such as biogas plants, bioethanol producers, or even direct air capture operations. Instead of treating CO2 as waste, the company aims to turn it into a valuable resource.

Brix believes this approach can compete economically with fossil fuels, especially given the volatility of traditional energy prices. More importantly, it offers a cleaner alternative.

He emphasized that creating profitable products from CO2 could be a powerful way to drive decarbonization from within existing industrial systems.

Still, the broader climate-tech sector faces challenges. Global investment in carbon and emissions technologies dropped to $12.2 billion last year, down from a record $20.4 billion in 2023, according to PitchBook. Policy uncertainty, including efforts to roll back climate initiatives, has added to investor caution.

Even so, demand for carbon capture solutions continues to grow — partly fueled by the rapid expansion of data centers, which are increasing pressure on energy resources.

As OCOchem prepares to switch on its pilot plant, the company is betting that turning emissions into useful chemicals could play a key role in the future of clean industry.

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