Hycamite’s methane-splitting hydrogen production plant opens in Finland

Hycamite TCD Technologies has begun operations at its methane-to-hydrogen production plant in Kokkola, Finland.

Once fully operational, the Customer Sample Facility (CSF) is expected to produce 2,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen annually using Hycamite’s technology.

The CSF plant will deploy methane-splitting technology, decomposing large volumes of methane into hydrogen and carbon whilst avoiding the release of any greenhouse gases. The plant will also use carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) to provide its customers with graphite and other industrial-quality products.

H2 View understands that the methane-splitting technology requires only 13% of the energy needed to produce hydrogen via electrolysis. Additionally, methane as a feedstock allows production to scale up rapidly, according to Hycamite.

Construction of the CSF plant began in January 2024, with Hycamite successfully staying on track to open by autumn.

Read more:Hycamite breaks ground on 2,000 tonne hydrogen production facility

Hycamite’s CEO, Laura Rahikka, claimed the plant will “demonstrate the viability” of new methane-splitting technology.

The CEO added, “Hycamite will open several other methane-splitting plants in other parts of the world in the future.”

Speaking to H2 View exclusively in January, Rahikka said, “We see potential in all kinds of industries that use methane. Our technology enables the industry to decarbonise its operations rapidly as no or very limited additional infrastructure is needed.

“Methane splitting is a new technology for producing clean hydrogen. On this scale, and in this way, how Hycamite does this has not been done before. Scaling up new technology can always be challenging, but we have been able to mitigate risks.”