"Hydrogen production from methane through gas circulation and carbon dioxide resource recovery" adopted by NEDO

Ebara Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Ebara") has signed a contract with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (hereinafter referred to as "NEDO"), a national research and development agency, for the research theme "Hydrogen production from methane through gas circulation and carbon dioxide resource recovery" in the "NEDO Leading Research Program/New Technology Leading Research Program" for fiscal 2023.

As efforts toward a sustainable global environment using clean energy are essential to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, hydrogen is attracting attention as a next-generation energy source. Ebara is working on developing a manufacturing process for turquoise hydrogen in the hydrogen "production" process of building a supply chain that "produces, transports, and uses" hydrogen.

Toward the realization of a carbon-free society and the creation of new industries, which are the goals of this program, we have been commissioned to work on "hydrogen production from methane and carbon dioxide resource recovery through gas circulation," a project being jointly developed with the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Kochi University of Technology, and Tokyo Institute of Technology as part of the research and development project "Development of innovative hydrogen production and utilization technologies" in the "Energy and Environment Field (Energy and Environment New Technology Leading Research Program)," and have now signed a contract. This is a consignment following the previous program (2021-2023, Leading Research and Development Project for Hydrogen Utilization, etc./Development of Carbon Dioxide-Free Hydrogen Production Technology Using Hydrocarbons, etc.).

In this research, we will develop a system that extracts hydrogen from a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide gas and produces high-value-added carbon at the same time through an innovative gas circulation reaction using a catalyst developed in-house together with participating institutions such as NIMS. By implementing this system in society, it will be possible to realize low hydrogen prices and reduce greenhouse gas concentrations while ensuring economic rationality without relying on CCS.

Details of the implementation structure for the "NEDO Leading Research Program / New Technology Leading Research Program" in FY2023

Utilizing the knowledge gained from past developments, we will continue to develop catalysts and circulation processes and scale up the process. In addition, we have been examining carbon black and graphite as possible types of carbon that can be obtained, but we will also be examining the application of hydrophilic carbon as a carbon type that can fix large amounts of methane and carbon dioxide.
In the future, we will begin demonstration and feasibility studies with companies and local governments that are interested in "on-site hydrogen supply," "effective use of methane and carbon dioxide emitted and produced by business sites and local areas," and "use of the various solid carbons that can be produced by this process."

We aim to put turquoise hydrogen production into practice in society, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and realizing a decarbonized society, as outlined in our long-term vision, "E-Vision 2030."

Contact for this matter
For inquiries about business transactions, etc., please contact the Marketing Division next.gen.energy@ebara.comopens in a new tab
For interview requests, please contact the IR/PR Section, Corporate Planning Department ebr-pr@ebara.comopens in a new tab

The EBARA Group will strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further increase its corporate value by addressing key ESG issues based on its long-term vision and medium-term management plan.