Methane pyrolysis hydrogen is advanced by BASF and ExxonMobil

BASF and ExxonMobil have entered a strategic collaboration to advance methane pyrolysis— a low-emission hydrogen production technology that generates hydrogen and solid carbon without process-related CO₂ emissions. The companies signed a joint development agreement on 17 November to co-develop the technology and plan to construct a demonstration plant in Baytown, Texas, USA.

Methane pyrolysis uses electricity to split natural gas or biomethane into hydrogen and high-purity solid carbon. Unlike steam-methane reforming, the process produces no CO₂ emissions and requires significantly less electricity than water electrolysis. It also operates without the need for water and can be integrated into existing natural gas infrastructure, making it particularly suitable for regions where carbon capture and storage is not viable due to geological, technical, or regulatory limitations.

The planned demonstration plant at ExxonMobil’s Baytown complex is expected to produce up to 2,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen and 6,000 tonnes of solid carbon annually. This facility will serve as the final validation step before potential commercial deployment.

Mike Zamora, President of ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, said the collaboration combines the technical strengths of both organizations and could accelerate the availability of low-emission hydrogen in areas where traditional decarbonization pathways are limited. BASF’s Chief Technology Officer, Stephan Kothrade, noted that the effort aligns with BASF’s mission to support customers in their green transformation journey, adding that BASF has spent more than a decade developing and testing its reactor design at its Ludwigshafen site.

The partnership builds on BASF’s earlier research funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. The solid carbon produced through methane pyrolysis has potential applications across industries such as steel, aluminum, construction materials, and advanced carbon products—including battery components.

Both companies view methane pyrolysis as a complementary technology within broader hydrogen portfolios and as a promising route to cost-competitive, low-emission hydrogen for industrial sectors.

The detailed article is published by https://www.basf.com/global/en can be accessed from https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2025/11/p-25-233