Carbon Capture Innovation

Railroads are the backbone of American logistics—and now, they might be the unexpected future of climate tech. In this episode of Coffee with Ken, Ken Biberaj explores a groundbreaking collaboration between Remora, a Detroit-based carbon capture startup, and Norfolk Southern, one of the nation’s most iconic freight rail companies.

Filmed during a pivotal moment for U.S. industry and clean energy, the conversation features Paul Gross, CEO of Remora, and Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern. Together, they unpack how a college-born idea is being scaled into one of the world’s first mobile carbon capture systems for locomotives—turning diesel exhaust into high-purity, beverage-grade CO₂ that can be sold to food, beverage, and industrial buyers.

With insight, urgency, and clarity, Paul and Josh discuss how this partnership is not just reducing emissions—it’s building a new CO₂ supply chain, creating green jobs, and showing how climate innovation can be financially viable and operationally scalable.

This episode dives deep into how rail, once thought of as industrial legacy, is being reimagined as a platform for clean technology—and why carbon capture may be one of the most promising tools in America’s sustainability playbook.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation:

The Rail Advantage
Locomotives are long-lived, powerful machines with regular routes and high fuel capacity—making them ideal candidates for large-scale carbon capture deployment.

CO₂ Isn’t Just a Problem—It’s a Product
Remora’s system turns emissions into revenue by creating beverage-grade CO₂. In a country facing CO₂ shortages, this solution fills a real market gap.

Smart Sustainability Is Scalable Sustainability
This isn’t a “green premium” play—it’s a commercially viable business model where railroads, manufacturers, and food producers all benefit.

Built in Detroit, Deployed Nationwide
From a rail spur in Remora’s parking lot to partnerships across the country, this episode spotlights the momentum behind American clean tech manufacturing.

A New Path to Net Zero
By pairing renewable diesel with carbon capture, Paul Gross outlines how we can create carbon-negative locomotives—literally cleaning the air as they move freight.

Why This Conversation Matters:

As the U.S. faces mounting climate pressure, industrial reinvention is more than a buzzword—it’s a necessity. This episode is a clear-eyed look at what it takes to decarbonize transportation, build smarter systems, and rethink what’s possible when startups and legacy infrastructure come together.

“If you’re asking someone to pay a green premium, revisit your business model. Scalable sustainability means everyone wins.” — Paul Gross, CEO of Remora

Whether you’re an engineer, an investor, or someone who believes that American industry can (and should) lead in climate solutions, this conversation shows what’s possible when innovation meets the rails.