PuriFire Energy has successfully secured a £2.7 million seed round investment led by HICO Investment Group, along with support from other investors like Bulnes Capital, R&R Investments, and Abhishek Desai. The startup, founded in 2019 in Cambridge by Dr. Matthew Pearce, specializes in advancing hydrothermal treatment technologies to produce green hydrogen, biomethanol, and other sustainable fuels. The company aims to make these environmentally friendly fuels cost-competitive with fossil fuels. The funding will be combined with a £525,000 grant from Innovate UK to launch a pioneering pilot project by mid-2025. This project will utilize PuriFire's patented technology to convert anaerobic digestion liquid digestate and other wet feedstocks into green methanol. As part of the investment round, Chris Hartnoll from HICO Investment Group will join PuriFire's Board, bringing valuable insights and expertise. PuriFire's CEO, Neel Shah, expressed excitement about the involvement of HICO and highlighted the potential of their technology to revolutionize green methanol production by avoiding costly electrolysis and carbon capture systems. The company's focus on converting wet waste into green methanol, without resource competition, is seen as a significant step towards reducing methanol production costs. The growing demand for green methanol in the shipping industry, with major companies like Maersk and Evergreen investing in methanol-powered ships, further underscores the importance of PuriFire's advancements. Currently, most methanol is derived from fossil fuels, but green methanol offers substantial environmental benefits, including notable reductions in CO2 and nitrogen oxide emissions. PuriFire's commitment to accelerating the shift to a low-carbon economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering a greener future is evident in its dedication to innovative technologies and sustainability. The company's approach not only aims to drive positive change but also create value for stakeholders while leveraging scientific and engineering expertise to address environmental challenges.