FROM ASPIRATION TO ACTION
In 2019, Ulrich Legrand shared his highly promising post-doctoral results—experiments run on 1 cm² cells—with serial entrepreneur Martin Larocque, who immediately grasped the potential of the technology.
Ulrich's breakthrough made it possible to transform CO₂ into pure potassium formate through electrolysis, a feat rarely achieved until then. The process replaces conventional formate, whose production generates CO₂ emissions, with an ecological alternative—reducing the carbon footprint across multiple industrial applications.
Recognizing the opportunity to combat climate change, Martin and Ulrich joined forces to found Electro Carbon and industrialize the process.
FROM RESEARCH TO IMPLEMENTATION
From 2020 to 2021, in collaboration with the National Center for Electrochemistry and Environmental Technology (CNETE), Electro Carbon successfully scaled up to a 200 cm² cell despite the pandemic and restricted access to CNETE laboratories.
In 2021, David Marotte joined the group as an angel investor, bringing his entrepreneurial expertise to the team.
Praised for its innovation and validated by the scientific community and business sectors, Electro Carbon completed its SEED funding round in 2022 with a select group of credible investors. This will provide the financial means and support for the next stages of technology and business development.
FROM INNOVATION TO GROWTH
The technological development and scaling efforts continued successfully until 2024, with the production of the first samples of "green" potassium formate.
Electro Carbon has since launched three products :
EcoWay50
a deicing solution that combines performance and responsibility at every stage, from production to biodegradation.
EcoHeat
A range of potassium formate-based heat transfer fluids designed for industrial systems and district energy networks.
EcoCity
A safer alternative to alcohol and glycol based fluids for winter municipal operations
THE COMPAnY BOASTS A ROBuST ECOSYSTEM Of COllABORATORS
Over 30 scientific researchers and collaborators bring their expertise to the solution. They are from:
WE ARE SUPPORTED BY SIGnIfICAnT InVESTORS AnD PARTnERS WHO RECOGnIZE ITS POTEnTIAl, SuCH AS:
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Investissement Québec
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The Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Exports of Quebec
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Sustainable Development Technology Canada
FOUNDERS
Electro Carbon is built on the expertise of its two co-founders, dedicated to transforming CO₂ into green molecules to help industries reduce their GHG emissions and create a better world for future generations.
President, Co-Founder
MARTIN L'AROCQUE
Team player, passionate and result driven entrepreneur. Martin has a strong desire to have a positive impact on the environment, in the society, while at the same time, building a successful business venture.
Chief Technology Officer, Co-Founder
Ulrich Legrand
PhD in chemical engineering from McGill University, Ulrich has developed a specialty in nanomaterials and electrochemistry. Passionate about science and environment, he decided to co-found Electro Carbon.