Key Takeaways:
- Skytree, a European Space Agency spin-off, repurposes CO₂ scrubber technology for vertical farming.
- CEO Rob van Straten shared the company’s strategy on the Vertical Farming Podcast with Harry Duran.
- A $6 million seed round led by Horticoop and The Yield Lab will fund commercial deployment.
- Skytree’s Model 10 units enable on-site, circular CO₂ generation for CEA environments.
- The company plans to expand into greenhouse markets and broader carbon utilization sectors.
From Space to Soil: Skytree’s CO₂ Capture Technology
Skytree, headquartered near Amsterdam, is bringing space-age technology to vertical farms. Originally developed to keep astronauts safe on the International Space Station by removing carbon dioxide from cabin air, the company’s CO₂ scrubbers are now being adapted to terrestrial applications, including vertical farming.
“Instead of delivering CO₂ from fossil sources in trucks, we enable farms to capture it from ambient air—right on-site,” said Rob van Straten, CEO of Skytree.
Skytree’s systems offer a local, sustainable alternative to traditional CO₂ supply chains, which often involve fossil fuel-derived gas transported over long distances.
Rob van Straten’s Journey: From Sea to Sustainability
Before taking the helm at Skytree in 2022, van Straten held various leadership roles across the tech and cleantech industries. His early life included time in the army and as a sailor, experiences that exposed him to global inequalities and influenced his ethical approach to business.
“I wasn’t thinking about a career at all,” van Straten said, reflecting on his youth. “But seeing the poverty in industrial regions where we shipped chemicals made me aware of how the world really works.”
That awareness later translated into executive roles focused on ESG, risk management, and electric vehicle infrastructure—culminating in his decision to lead Skytree.
Commercial Readiness and Funding Milestones
Skytree recently completed a $6 million seed funding round. The raise was co-led by Horticoop, a cooperative of 400 Dutch greenhouse operators, and The Yield Lab, an agritech-focused investment firm.
“This is just the beginning. We’ll begin taking purchase orders for our Model 10 units in the coming months,” van Straten said.
The Model 10 device captures 10 kilograms of CO₂ per day and is designed to be stackable for farms needing greater volumes. First deliveries are expected by late 2025.
CO₂ Supply Challenges in Vertical Farming
Most vertical farms today depend on fossil-based CO₂, often captured from industrial emitters. Van Straten noted that while this is better than venting directly into the atmosphere, it still contributes to the carbon footprint.
“It’s a postponed emission,” he explained. “By capturing CO₂ on-site from ambient air, our system makes it circular.”
To support the transition, Skytree developed tools like a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator and a forthcoming Carbon Footprint Estimator to help farmers understand the financial and environmental benefits.
Outlook: Next Steps and Industry Collaboration
Skytree is preparing to expand beyond vertical farming into greenhouses and other use cases such as protein and hydrogen production. Van Straten emphasized the importance of industry partnerships in accelerating impact.
“There’s a lot of overlap between our work and vertical farming. But not every farm should build its own tech—mature industries rely on specialists,” he said.
He also highlighted Skytree’s focus on responsible company culture, including gender parity and sustainable work practices.
Read the company’s most recent news here.
