Forests absorb solar energy, converting it into chemical energy stored in the molecular structure of wood. At the same time, much of the leftover material from sawmills, like wood chips and sawdust, can still be put to good use. Emerging technologies are now exploring ways to convert this waste into energy, potentially reducing dependence on fossil fuels and minimizing the need for long-distance power transmission. Some of these methods aim to create a more balanced and scalable approach to managing organic waste.
In this space, AntMind, a climate-tech startup, aims to transform forestry byproducts into renewable energy while simultaneously sequestering carbon. Its model connects local biomass feedstocks with on-site energy and computing infrastructure.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, AntMind's approach is iterative and scalable, allowing systems to adapt to local feedstock availability and energy demands. This flexibility supports deployment across diverse geographic and economic contexts, especially in regions where forestry residue and other organic waste are underutilized.
Central to AntMind's technology is a self-sustaining system that converts organic material into clean energy. The process operates in cycles, using heat and steam to break down biomass and generate a clean gas mixture. From this, hydrogen is extracted to power turbines, while the remaining carbon is captured and stored, either as biochar, a stable form of carbon, or injected underground to reduce emissions.
"Hydrogen provides a steady output of power that can be used to support renewable intermittent power such as wind and solar," explains Jeremy Van Walsh, founder and CEO of AntMind. "By integrating variable loads like AI computing, AntMind can stabilize traditional grid infrastructure during peak demand periods while generating revenue from AI workloads during off-peak hours."
AntMind's business model includes technology licensing, modular plant construction, and on-site compute operations that monetize the electricity produced. The company aims to turn residual biomass into multiple revenue streams, such as hydrogen and renewable liquids, while keeping environmental outcomes central to its design.
"Overall, we're trying to finish what nature started: capture the energy trees store, use it where it helps most, and make sure the carbon stays where it belongs," says Van Walsh. He adds that the idea was born from practical observation: "Seeing sawmill residue stacked up convinced me there was hidden value in what others called waste. This is about rethinking byproducts as potential resources."
Currently, AntMind is designing a pilot facility to process waste from a single sawmill. The facility would be able to produce a variety of different products, including approximately 20 tons of hydrogen per day, which can be used to power roughly 20 megawatts of electricity. Designed to test operational viability in real-world conditions, the initiative targets regions where biomass is abundant. The site emphasizes consistent energy output, using computing workloads to absorb excess generation capacity. It also serves as a testbed for AntMind's broader gasification platform, demonstrating how distributed systems can operate independently of centralized grids.
Importantly, AntMind's technology prioritizes measurable carbon removal over general emissions reduction. Its system extracts hydrogen from biomass while capturing and storing carbon in stable forms. This process enables the sequestration of carbon stored in the trees, resulting in a true carbon-negative energy source.
As global energy demand continues to rise, our process ensures that carbon capture scales alongside it. By converting waste materials into clean, dispatchable energy, we create a system where carbon sequestration scales in step with energy production, addressing two of the world's most pressing problems at once. The more power our process generates, the more carbon it permanently removes, proving that growth and decarbonization can advance together.
Now in a funding phase, AntMind's staged rollout is intended to balance capital efficiency with environmental performance. For stakeholders seeking scalable, site-specific energy solutions, the company offers a practical framework for integrating renewable generation with carbon capture at a global level.
