Alkagesta Invests in Clean Caspian Marine Remediation Startup

Alkagesta has invested in the Clean Caspian start-up project, a science-driven initiative aimed at developing advanced solutions to localise and neutralise marine oil contamination linked to hydrocarbon production and transport in the region. The commitment was made under Alkagesta's broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy after the project was presented on the GUB Startup Platform as part of the Skills for the Future initiative, according to reporting by Innews.en.

Led by researchers Narmin Ismayilova and Aynura Mammadova from Baku Engineering University in Azerbaijan and the University of Padova in Italy, the project targets environmental risks in enclosed Caspian marine ecosystems. The researchers are focused on mitigating the impact of surface oil spills and emulsified hydrocarbon layers, which disrupt oxygen exchange and damage biodiversity, by creating scalable and economically efficient technologies.

The project's research directions include biodegradable sorbents, nanomaterial-based collection agents, and containment systems such as boom barriers and skimmers. According to data reported by Innews.en, preliminary laboratory tests demonstrated that four grams of a newly developed chemical reagent can purify one tonne of heavily polluted water at very low production costs, following more than two months of scientific testing aimed at optimizing synthesis and performance.

Commenting on the investment, Orkhan Rustamov, CEO of Alkagesta, stated: "We are genuinely energised by the entrepreneurial spirit and scientific ambition demonstrated by young researchers from the region. Seeing this level of talent and determination emerging from the Caucasus and Central Asia makes us proud to stand behind initiatives like Clean Caspian. Supporting these young innovators is not only an investment in environmental progress, but also in the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of the region."