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Alkagesta has invested in the “Clean Caspian” start-up, a science-driven environmental initiative focused on developing advanced solutions for the localisation and neutralisation of oil contamination in marine environments.
The project was brought to the attention of the Alkagesta team through the GUB Startup Platform, where it was featured as part of the “Skills for the Future” initiative — a programme through which young innovators present technology and research-based solutions to real industrial and environmental challenges. Following the assessment of the project’s scientific merit, environmental potential, and its contribution to fostering entrepreneurial spirit among youth in the Caucasus and Central Asia, Alkagesta committed to supporting the initiative as part of its broader ESG strategy and long‑term investment in applied science across the region.
The Team Behind the Project
The Clean Caspian project is led by Narmin Ismayilova and Aynura Mammadova, young researchers from Baku Engineering University, Azerbaijan and University of Padova, Italy. Their work addresses one of the most pressing environmental risks associated with hydrocarbon production and transportation in the Caspian region: oil contamination in enclosed and ecologically sensitive water ecosystems.
Oil spills and emulsified hydrocarbon layers on water surfaces can severely disrupt oxygen exchange, damage marine biodiversity, and negatively impact coastal communities — challenges that the Clean Caspian team is working to solve through scalable, low-cost scientific solutions.
Research Focus and Innovation
The project centres on the development of environmentally safe and economically efficient coagulants and oil-localisation materials designed to improve the speed and effectiveness of spill response operations. Current research directions include biodegradable sorbents, nanomaterial-based oil collection agents, and advanced containment systems such as boom barriers and skimmer technologies.
Among the project’s most promising breakthroughs is a newly developed chemical solution capable of purifying heavily contaminated water across varying environmental conditions. Preliminary laboratory results indicate that just four grams of the substance are sufficient to purify one tonne of polluted water at extremely low production costs a finding that points to strong scalability and industrial application potential.
Scientific research has been ongoing for over two months, with early results already demonstrating practical promise. Current efforts are focused on optimizing reagent synthesis and assessing operational performance across different technical and environmental conditions.
Supporting the Next Generation
Through its investment in the Clean Caspian initiative, Alkagesta aims to support not only environmental innovation, but also the entrepreneurial spirit of young scientists and researchers developing practical technologies with both regional and global relevance.
The initiative reflects Alkagesta’s commitment to responsible environmental stewardship, technological progress, and the development of entrepreneurial talent across the Caucasus and Central Asian region — values that sit at the heart of the company’s long-term ESG vision.
Comment from Orkhan Rustamov, CEO of Alkagesta
“We are genuinely energised by the entrepreneurial spirit and scientific ambition demonstrated by young researchers from the region. Seeing this level of talent and determination emerging from the Caucasus and Central Asia makes us proud to stand behind initiatives like Clean Caspian. Supporting these young innovators is not only an investment in environmental progress, but also in the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of the region.”
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