Cleaner production pathways for hydrogen and carbon black

A novel methane pyrolysis platform using established energy infrastructure

Ekona’s methane pyrolysis platform is a practical, rapid-to-deploy solution for industries working to meet growing global demand for clean hydrogen and carbon black, decarbonized natural gas, and greenhouse gas reductions at the scale and timing necessary to combat climate change. We’re bringing carbon and greenhouse gas management back down to earth.

Deploy the EkonaTM methane pyrolysis solution wherever there’s natural gas infrastructure

In a pyrolysis reactor, methane is heated to very high temperatures in the absence of oxygen until its chemical composition changes, and it splits into hydrogen and solid carbon. Sources of methane feedstock include pipeline natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG) or biomethane from biomass sources.
Clean
Lower GHG emissions than incumbent hydrogen and carbon black production pathways
Low-cost
Hydrogen and carbon black co-products for attractive economics

Scalable

Suitable for large-scale industrial applications
Versatile
Utilizes existing natural gas infrastructure

The xCaliberTM Process

At the heart of the Ekona™ solution is the xCaliber reactor, a novel methane pyrolysis platform that uses combustion to convert natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon.

Preheated feedstock natural gas feeds into the reactor chamber where combustion products are also injected to create energy for the pyrolysis reaction. Products from the reactor discharge to downstream purification equipment for the delivery of two co-products, hydrogen and carbon black.

Ekona’s methane pyrolysis process uses industry standard balance of plant (BOP) equipment for carbon handling, hydrogen purification, compression, and thermal energy recovery, simplifying process integration and mitigating development risk.

How does Ekona’s solution work?

Ekona’s Value Proposition

EKONA HYDROGEN

Clean

Produces low-emission hydrogen, aligning with climate goals and regulations.

Low-cost

Leverages co-product carbon black and proven infrastructure for cost-effective deployment.

Scalable

 Rapidly deployable at industrial scale wherever natural gas exists, compatible with current assets.

Versatile

Supplies clean hydrogen across sectors – power, mobility, chemicals, and refining – without needing new pipelines, water, or renewables.

EKONA CARBON

Clean

Delivers carbon black with significantly lower emissions, meeting sustainability and regulatory demands.

Low-cost

Attractive economics enhanced by co-product hydrogen.

Scalable

Easily integrates into current or new facilities, ready for tire, rubber, plastics, and advanced materials.

Versatile

Serves diverse markets – from tires to asphalt to water purification – and supports decarbonization via hydrogen co-product.

Burnaby Pilot Plant

Ekona operates a 200-kilogram-per-day pilot facility at our Burnaby facility, where we evaluate our methane pyrolysis reactors and process integration. We are currently developing a next-generation xCaliber™ reactor, which will allow us to demonstrate increased capacity, higher efficiency, and commercial-grade carbon black for evaluation with supply chain partners. Ekona’s next generation reactor and Burnaby pilot will provide a validated platform for field deployment with customers and support scale-up for industrial applications.

Ekona’s Roadmap
Ekona has a viable technology development and go-to-market plan.
Image showing different markets for Ekona's carbon black: tires and rubber, battery electrodes, asphalt, and water purification pellets.

Burnaby Pilot Expansion

Gen2 xCaliber™ reactor • BOP integration • Carbon handling expansion • Pilot demonstration
Image showing different markets for Ekona's carbon black: tires and rubber, battery electrodes, asphalt, and water purification pellets.
Field Demonstration Programs

Commercial-ready platform • Customer validation

Image showing different markets for Ekona's carbon black: tires and rubber, battery electrodes, asphalt, and water purification pellets.

Early Commercial Programs

Scale-up • First customer deployments

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