Photo courtesy of Kameron Katsch

At 23, Kameron Katsch has filed provisional patents for Project Kontrast, the first closed-loop offshore regenerative platform for critical minerals, energy production, and sustainability through net-positive marine industrial ecosystems. His company is building offshore platforms that extract critical minerals from seawater while generating renewable energy. The systems operate in international waters, targeting the 64% of global ocean territory that remains largely unregulated.

Katsch claims the platforms can produce uranium, lithium, rare earth elements, and hydrogen while capturing ocean plastics. With the deep sea mining market projected to reach $16.3 billion by 2033, alternative extraction methods are drawing investor attention as China continues to dominate production of materials essential to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.

Among the 12 provisional patents, Katsch created Gold Standard Compliance Certification, the first certification system for high seas and space operations. This unified framework elevates sustainability across Earth-based and space-based activities, creating a seamless closed-loop ecosystem from high seas resource extraction to orbital sustainability. From a consumer perspective, this is the LEED of high seas and space operations.

The Kontrast System

Project Kontrast centers on modular floating platforms and a proprietary hose system called Konnectivity. The five layer hose extracts resources while transmitting power and data, regulating heat through the coldest part and hottest part. One layer uses layered double hydroxide to isolate uranium, lithium, and rare earth elements from seawater at concentrations of approximately 3.3 parts per billion for uranium. Another layer captures microplastics and pollutants through absorbent polymers.

Scientists reported in November 2025 that new materials can extract 31.5 milligrams of uranium per gram of sorbent in one day. Researchers estimate commercial uranium extraction from seawater could become viable within five years, addressing supply constraints as land based uranium resources face depletion within 70 years.

Katsch has designed three platform configurations. The K1 focuses on coastal operations with wind turbines and data centers. The K2 serves as an equatorial launch facility for rockets fueled by hydrogen and aluminum extracted onsite. The K3 processes raw materials into finished products including HALEU, lithium batteries, rocket fuel, and fertilizers.

“Most people see the ocean as empty space. I see it as the largest untapped resource on the planet,” Katsch said. “We’re building systems that don’t just extract materials but create entire supply chains in places where regulations haven’t caught up yet.”

Closed Loop Operations

The platforms function as a closed loop organism. Seawater enters through vacuum intake systems and flows through Konnectivity hoses to processing modules. Wind turbines and hydrogen production systems powered by seawater electrolysis provide energy. Ocean plastics convert into marine diesel, aviation fuel, and carbon fiber precursors. Finished products route to a floating warehouse and trading facility in the Cayman Islands.

“We’re solving multiple problems at once. Energy production, critical mineral shortages, ocean pollution, and supply chain independence,” Katsch said. “The platforms fund themselves by selling everything they produce.”

Katsch projects the first unit will deploy in Q3-4 2026. The company has reserved NYSE tickers KTRS and GSCC. When looking at innovative projects, most ask about economics and revenues. Katsch takes the opposite approach, focusing on TAL: total addressable lives, a term he trademarked.

“Every top CEO in the world has their definitions of what the big S in ESG is. I think the S is a safeguard, a true safeguard to humanity,” Katsch said.

Regulatory Questions

Deep sea mining faces substantial opposition over sediment plumes, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. The International Seabed Authority continues developing its Mining Code, and no company has secured approval for commercial scale extraction.

Project Kontrast claims its units will exceed environmental standards through features like vacuum systems, Konnectivity hoses, and electrochemical electrodes. The Gold Standard Compliance Certification provides a framework for certifying offshore and space operations.

“Most existing regulatory hurdles are with the frameworks of BBNJ, ISA, and UNCLOS via sea mining. We’re the first closed-loop system and we run right through any hurdles. Just don’t let it touch the ground,” Katsch said. “This enables me to run free in the 64 percent, the high seas, without any licenses through regulations.”

“The biggest risk in innovation is waiting for permission,” he continued. “We’re designing systems that regulators will want to approve because they solve more problems than they create.”

Katsch attributes his leadership and focus to the loss of his father at age 17, which forced him to grow quickly and see a clear vision, with this project being the prerequisite.