Cochin Shipyard backs breakthrough pollutant-derived hull coating under USHUS Maritime Innovation Scheme
In a significant boost to India’s growing green innovation ecosystem, Kerala-based climate tech startup Neiox Eco Cycle has been awarded a ₹75 lakh prototyping grant from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under its USHUS Maritime Innovation Scheme. The grant recognizes Neiox’s groundbreaking work in developing the world’s first carbon-negative, non-toxic marine hull coating — a solution that simultaneously tackles air pollution, enhances fuel efficiency, and safeguards marine ecosystems.
The cheque was formally presented at a function held at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode, where the official agreement was signed between Cochin Shipyard and Neiox Eco Cycle. The event brought together leaders from industry and academia, underscoring Kerala’s emergence as a national hub for climate-driven entrepreneurship and deep-tech innovation.
Transforming Pollution into Innovation
At the heart of Neiox’s mission lies a powerful idea: turning the world’s greatest environmental and health liabilities into economic assets. Founded by CEO Akhil Raj Pottekkat, Neiox Eco Cycle has been working on an advanced coating technology derived entirely from captured air pollutants — substances that would otherwise contribute to lung disease, cardiovascular issues, and atmospheric warming.
This innovation, when applied as a marine hull coating, not only prevents corrosion and biofouling (the unwanted accumulation of organisms on ship surfaces) but also reduces the drag that vessels experience at sea. The result is a substantial increase in fuel efficiency and a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions from ships — a critical outcome for a sector responsible for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gases.
By using waste pollutants as a raw material, Neiox’s technology achieves what many in the field have long called the “holy grail” of sustainable design — a carbon-negative material that contributes to cleaner air and oceans at the same time.
“Our collaboration with Cochin Shipyard reflects Kerala’s leadership in sustainable maritime innovation,” said CEO Akhil Raj Pottekkat. “At Neiox, we believe environmental and health liabilities can be transformed into opportunities that power economic growth, cleaner industries, and healthier communities.”
Backing from India’s Maritime Giant
The ₹75 lakh grant from Cochin Shipyard, one of India’s leading shipbuilding and maintenance enterprises, will help Neiox move from research to prototyping, accelerating its journey toward commercialization. The grant comes under CSL’s USHUS Maritime Innovation Scheme, which aims to promote startups developing technologies that enhance sustainability and efficiency in India’s maritime and shipbuilding sectors.
By supporting startups like Neiox Eco Cycle, Cochin Shipyard is helping to foster a climate innovation ecosystem that aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, Blue Economy goals, and commitments to net-zero emissions by 2070.
The Kerala Model of Sustainable Innovation
Neiox’s rise also represents the growing synergy between Kerala’s innovation institutions and its startup ecosystem. The company is recognized by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and has received incubation and mentoring support from TBI NIT Calicut and LIVE at IIM Kozhikode.
This collaboration of academia, government, and industry demonstrates how Kerala is positioning itself as a climate innovation hub, where young entrepreneurs are tackling challenges in climate action, public health, and industrial transformation.
Dr Ashutosh Sarkar, Executive Director of IIM Kozhikode, who was present at the grant ceremony, commended the effort, noting that “sustainable industrial transformation is no longer a distant goal but a present-day business imperative — and startups like Neiox show that India’s youth are ready to lead this transition.”
Also present at the event were K.R. Anjana, Chief General Manager (Design) at Cochin Shipyard; Krishna Prasad S, Senior Manager, CSL; and Lijo P Jose, Senior General Manager at LIVE, IIM Kozhikode — signaling strong institutional support for collaborative, innovation-led climate action.
Why This Matters: Maritime Decarbonization and Beyond
The maritime industry faces mounting global pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt eco-friendly technologies. Ships coated with Neiox’s pollutant-derived material could cut both fuel costs and emissions, addressing two of the sector’s most urgent challenges.
Moreover, by creating value from waste — literally transforming airborne pollutants into protective coatings — the technology introduces a circular economy model for maritime sustainability. It not only offsets carbon but also eliminates toxins that pose health risks to millions living in polluted urban environments.
Industry experts view this as a game-changing approach with potential applications far beyond shipbuilding — including industrial equipment, infrastructure, and even consumer products that require durable, non-toxic coatings.
Turning Kerala into a Global Climate Innovation Beacon
The Neiox-Coachin Shipyard partnership sends a clear message: India’s coastal states can lead the way in green maritime technologies. As climate change intensifies and nations tighten emission standards, innovations like Neiox’s will become vital for maintaining competitiveness in global trade.
For Kerala, this marks another milestone in its growing reputation as a cradle of green entrepreneurship — building on initiatives like green startups incubated under KSUM and collaborations with academic institutions driving sustainability research.
Neiox’s achievement also highlights how public-private partnerships can accelerate climate solutions that are not just local in origin but global in impact.
“This is not just about innovation — it’s about redefining value creation,” said Pottekkat. “Every ton of air pollution captured and reused means cleaner lungs, lower emissions, and a healthier planet.”
Future Outlook: Scaling for Impact
With the Cochin Shipyard grant secured, Neiox Eco Cycle plans to begin prototyping and large-scale testing of its coating across maritime vessels. Once commercialized, the product could help ship operators cut fuel use by up to 10–15%, translating into millions in savings and a dramatic reduction in CO₂ emissions.
The startup is also exploring opportunities for international collaborations and licensing, particularly with shipping companies in Europe and Southeast Asia, where maritime decarbonization targets are already driving demand for sustainable materials.
A Cleaner Future, One Ship at a Time
Kerala’s Neiox Eco Cycle stands at the forefront of a new generation of Indian climate tech innovators— companies combining science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship to shape a cleaner, more resilient future.
The ₹75 lakh support from Cochin Shipyard is more than a grant; it is a vote of confidence in the power of Indian ingenuity to solve global problems. From polluted air to cleaner seas, Neiox’s innovation captures the very essence of the “Make in India, Green in India” vision.
As this young startup charts its course across uncharted waters, it carries with it the promise that sustainability can be both economically rewarding and environmentally restorative — one ship, one innovation, and one clean breath at a time.
For more in-depth analysis and inspiring climate news, click here.
