Alkagesta Backs Science Start-up Targeting Low-Cost Marine Oil Spill Remediation

Energy trading enterprise Alkagesta has committed investment funding to Clean Caspian, an early-stage science initiative developing advanced techniques to localise and neutralise marine hydrocarbon contamination. The transaction reflects a strategic effort to bridge commercial logistics operations with research-driven environmental mitigation tools tailored for enclosed maritime ecosystems.

The start-up was selected via the GUB Startup Platform under the 'Skills for the Future' initiative, a showcase for technology-led answers to industrial and environmental challenges. Led by researchers Narmin Ismayilova and Aynura Mammadova—affiliated with Baku Engineering University and the University of Padova—the project addresses critical operational risks associated with oil transit and production across the Caspian region.

## High-Efficiency Reagent Breakdown

Clean Caspian is focusing its scientific pipeline on low-cost, scalable interventions designed to accelerate marine response times. The research scope encompasses biodegradable sorbents, nanomaterial-based oil collection compounds, and improved physical containment infrastructure, including boom barriers and skimmer technologies.

The primary technical highlight involves a newly synthesized chemical reagent designed to process heavily emulsified and contaminated water under varying marine conditions. Preliminary laboratory testing demonstrates that four grams of the chemical solution can treat and purify one tonne of polluted water. The low production cost and high potency of the reagent indicate substantial potential for deployment at industrial scale.

Having conducted ongoing research for over two months, the project team is currently refining the chemical synthesis process. Technical validation is focusing on ensuring consistent reagent performance across diverse water temperatures, salinities, and operational environments.

## Operational Impact and Regional ESG Engagement

For energy logistics firms navigating sensitive maritime routes, rapid-response containment tools represent vital risk-mitigation assets. Hydrocarbon slicks in enclosed bodies of water can rapidly impair aquatic oxygen exchange and disrupt coastal infrastructure, making fast-acting chemical and physical sorbents essential to fleet compliance and environmental stewardship.

The funding aligns directly with Alkagesta's broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, which emphasises targeted investments in regional applied science across the Caucasus and Central Asia. Commenting on the investment, Orkhan Rustamov, Chief Executive Officer of Alkagesta, stated that supporting young scientific talent from the region serves as an investment both in environmental progress and in the future generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.