Frontier has taken another major stride in scaling up high-quality carbon removal. The coalition has signed a $31.3 million offtake agreement this August with Planetary Technologies, a company that uses ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduce ocean acidification.
Planetary and Frontier Push OAE Toward Large-Scale Deployment
Planetary’s journey has been defined by innovation and scientific rigor. Earlier this year, Isometric Registry issued the world’s first verified OAE credits, marking a historic milestone.
These credits were based on pilot projects such as the Tufts Cove facility in Halifax, where purified magnesium oxide was introduced into coastal waters and monitored with cutting-edge measurement protocols.
Significantly, the Frontier deal builds on Planetary’s earlier success with Isometric. And now, the company is moving into its next phase i.e., large-scale deployment.
- Starting in 2026, Frontier buyers will receive 115,211 tons of verified CO₂ removals spread across a five-year delivery window through 2030.
It’s a turning point for marine-based carbon removal, showing the pathway’s credibility, scalability, and growing importance in global climate strategies.
The Science Behind Planetary’s Ocean Alkalinity Approach
OAE is an emerging method of carbon dioxide removal that strengthens the ocean’s natural ability to act as a carbon sink. Here’s how Planetary does it:
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Mineral addition: Planetary adds carefully dissolved alkaline minerals such as calcium oxide (CaO) or magnesium oxide (MgO) into coastal waters.
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Carbon capture chemistry: These minerals react with dissolved CO₂, transforming it into stable bicarbonate ions that are stored in the ocean for more than 10,000 years.
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Seamless integration: Planetary’s system plugs into existing outfalls like wastewater plants or power stations, avoiding the cost of building new infrastructure.
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Scalability by design: The entire operational footprint fits into two shipping containers, allowing setups to be deployed in a matter of days.
This chemical pathway is powerful because it bypasses many uncertainties of biological methods. Instead of relying on ecosystems that may be vulnerable to climate change, OAE leverages the ocean’s natural buffering system to lock away CO₂ for millennia.
Why OAE Could Change the Game
OAE is gaining traction because it combines scale, affordability, and co-benefits—a rare combination in the carbon removal sector.
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Gigaton potential: Scientists estimate OAE could remove billions of tons of CO₂ annually, making it one of the largest scalable solutions.
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Cost advantage: Early estimates suggest costs between $50 and $160 per ton, with credible pathways to below $100/ton as operations scale.
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Ecosystem impact: Unlike many removal methods, OAE tackles a second crisis—ocean acidification. Raising local pH creates better conditions for marine calcifiers such as oysters, shrimp, and crabs.
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Proven monitoring: Planetary dissolves minerals before releasing them, eliminating uncertainties about when and where reactions take place. Real-time sensors and computational models track the carbon removal and ecological impact.
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Strong safeguards: Each deployment includes feedstock screening, live monitoring of discharge waters, and a “stop trigger” system to halt operations if thresholds are exceeded.
These elements combined make OAE one of the most promising, durable, verifiable, and scalable methods of carbon removal.
Co-Benefits for Communities
Planetary’s work goes beyond carbon removal. The company partners with Indigenous leaders, scientists, regulators, and local communities to ensure projects support local priorities.
It also shares data openly under FAIR principles and the Carbon to Sea protocol, building trust and transparency. This community-first approach shows that carbon removal can deliver climate benefits while strengthening coastal ecosystems and communities.
The Frontier Deal: Who’s Backing OAE
Frontier’s offtake brings together some of the world’s leading climate-focused companies. The coalition comprises founding members Stripe, Google, Shopify, and McKinsey Sustainability, as well as Autodesk, H&M Group, and Workday.
Through a partnership with Watershed, additional companies, including Aledade, Canva, Match Group, Samsara, SKIMS, Skyscanner, Wise, and Zendesk, also participated in the purchase.
For buyers, the deal represents more than carbon credits. It’s a chance to support field-first innovation. Backing a method like OAE helps accelerate development, lower costs, and scale removals faster while also addressing the ocean health crisis.
Verified Ocean Carbon Credits: A New Chapter for Carbon Markets
The recognition of OAE by registries like Isometric signals a broader shift in the carbon markets. For years, marine-based solutions struggled to gain credibility due to measurement challenges. That barrier has now been broken.
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Credits are issued only after rigorous MRV protocols confirm that CO₂ has been captured and stored as bicarbonate.
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Standards such as the Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement from Coastal Outfalls Protocol guide verification and ensure environmental integrity.
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Leading corporations like Stripe, Shopify, and British Airways have already purchased these credits, sending a clear market signal.
Verified OAE credits are now entering the market, introducing a new wave of high-quality carbon removals. This method shows strong potential as an affordable, scalable solution that benefits both the climate and ocean health.
The $31.3 million Frontier-Planetary deal proves OAE can deliver durable, scientifically verified carbon storage at scale. And for carbon markets, the deal signals that ocean carbon removal solutions are ready.
