BASF and ExxonMobil, two leaders in the chemical and energy sectors, have joined forces to accelerate the development of methane pyrolysis technology, a promising method for producing low-emission hydrogen and high-purity solid carbon. This strategic collaboration aims to bring cost-effective, environmentally friendly hydrogen solutions closer to commercial scale.

Advancing Low-Emission Hydrogen Through Collaboration

“This partnership leverages the technological expertise of BASF and ExxonMobil to speed up the deployment of low-emission hydrogen,” said Mike Zamora, president of ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company. “Methane pyrolysis is particularly valuable in regions where conventional carbon capture and storage (CCS) is less feasible. ExxonMobil’s experience in scaling up innovative processes complements BASF’s strong track record in chemical process development.”

BASF has been developing methane pyrolysis for several years under funding from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR). Dr. Stephan Kothrade, CTO at BASF, added, “Our proprietary reactor design has been successfully tested at our Ludwigshafen facility. By combining BASF’s process innovation with ExxonMobil’s industrial scale-up expertise, we aim to make low-carbon hydrogen a commercially viable option for industrial use.”

Why Methane Pyrolysis Matters

Methane pyrolysis converts natural gas or bio-methane into hydrogen and solid carbon using electricity, without generating process-related CO2 emissions. Compared to traditional steam methane reforming (SMR) or water electrolysis, it requires significantly less energy, does not consume water, and can leverage existing natural gas infrastructure. These advantages make it an attractive solution for producing sustainable hydrogen in various industrial regions.

The process generates two valuable products:

• Low-emission hydrogen – a key energy carrier and feedstock for the chemical industry.
• High-purity solid carbon – useful in steel, aluminum, construction, advanced carbon products, and battery materials.

Demonstration Plant to Validate Technology

To advance commercial readiness, BASF and ExxonMobil plan to build a demonstration plant at ExxonMobil’s Baytown Complex, Texas. The facility is expected to produce up to 2,000 tons of low-carbon hydrogen and 6,000 tons of solid carbon annually. This project will validate the technology at scale and pave the way for broader industrial deployment of low-emission hydrogen solutions.

Through this collaboration, BASF and ExxonMobil are taking a significant step toward sustainable hydrogen production, combining innovation, scale, and efficiency to support the global transition to cleaner energy.