The Spark of an Idea
The story of InPlanet is one of passion and innovation. A journey of two friends driven by a desire to fight the climate crisis, with a commitment to sustainable agriculture.
In 2013, Felix Harteneck and Niklas Kluger met at a college party in Munich and an instant connection sparked. The two freshmen, Felix with a focus on Management and Technology, and Niklas, passionate about Environmental Engineering and Resource Management, discovered a shared entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit; something that would drive the creation of an industry leader, and a deep desire to make history.
Felix commitment to go carbon-neutral
Years after they met, Felix traveled through the deserts of South Africa while on vacation with his children, in the hope of showing them the beauty of the natural world they would one day share with their own children. What they witnessed, however, was environmental devastation. Here, the climate crisis was already visible, and the effects were tangible.
Locals, who expressed the difficulties they face, spoke of the suffering felt by animals, and the degradation of their home. It was a moment of realization. A motivator to make a difference. Having returned from South Africa to his mobility and software business in Munich, Felix’s heightened awareness of environmental impact was on his mind.
In an effort to shift the company to carbon-neutral, he was faced with a crucial challenge: finding scalable and credible solutions for carbon removal.
Niklas specialization in sustainable agriculture
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Germany, Niklas was being propelled by his own passion. Seeking to transform agriculture, and change perceptions around nature and the environment, he joined InFarm. It was here he gained valuable experience helping to scale urban farming operations. During the pursuit of his master’s degree at Humboldt, Berlin, he discovered the potential of the Carbon Market to revert soil degradation. This drove him to the tropical farms of Brazil, where he worked on the ground with an NGO to restore family-owned agriculture.
For both founders, their love for agriculture runs deep. From a tender age, they were involved in farming activities; Niklas spending time on his grandfather’s farm, and Felix similarly with his family’s vineyard.
A Reunion in Brazil
While visiting long-time friend, Niklas, in Brazil, Felix would find the answer for how to develop a credible and scalable solution for carbon credits, and both of their lives would change. Traveling from the rocky Serra da Capivara through the farmlands of Pernambuco to the beaches of Recife, they exchanged ideas on tackling Carbon Removal. It was here that the first seeds of InPlanet were planted. In particular, their interest evolved around Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) in tropical regions such as Brazil, which they realized had an enormous untapped potential.
The Birth of InPlanet
Inspired by the possibilities of a natural carbon removal solution and the co-benefits ERW provides to sustainable agriculture, Niklas and Felix were turning their vision into reality. In August 2022, InPlanet was officially founded on a mission to collaborate with farmers to promote sustainable, low-carbon agriculture through natural carbon removal. Besides fighting climate change, ERW is enhancing soil health, and capturing CO₂ effectively using natural rock powder.
Now pioneering ERW in Brazil and the tropics, InPlanet has grown to be at the forefront of the Carbon Market. InPlanet has become one of the world’s most renowned and respected companies in the Enhanced Rock Weathering and Carbon Removal industry. Its genuine dedication to scientific rigor, transparency, and excellence has made it a leader in addressing the critical challenge of climate change.
Carbon Removal as Nature Intended
By spreading rock powder on tropical agricultural soils, Brazil constitutes one of the greatest potential markets for carbon removal in the world. InPlanet, a company built from passion and precision, is going beyond removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. We also want to empower people and connect the global South to the North meaningfully.
The work of InPlanet is revolutionizing and empowering tropical agriculture while helping people to live healthier lives. Key co-benefits such as improving soil health and reducing food insecurity drive local economies while feeding the world nutritious food produced in the nutritious soil fertilized with natural rock powder.
Looking Ahead
InPlanet is truly changing the game for sustainability in Brazil and around the world. By harnessing the power of ERW, the potential of Carbon Removal transcends geographic borders. We are providing a genuine opportunity to scale and achieve global climate targets, all built on the rigorous standards set within the very foundations of the business.
For our founders and our team, this is still just the beginning. The potential impact on the environment and industry is boundless. And you, too, can be part of this journey.
To join us on this inspiring mission:
