EnergyPathways (EPP) and the Finnish Hycamite have signed a cooperation agreement. In this, EPP is to examine the possibility of using Hycamite's technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen and graphite in its own production facility. The process is based on the splitting of methane, where solid carbon in the form of graphite is produced alongside hydrogen.
EPP plans to build a hydrogen plant with an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes and a graphite plant with an annual capacity of around 60,000 tonnes. The site is to be the Port-of-Barrow of the Associated British Ports (ABP) in Barrow-in-Furness on the northwest coast of England. According to the company, the production facility is to become part of EPP's MESH energy storage project in the Irish Sea and on the west coast of England.
Graphite as a critical raw material
Both the British government and the EU Commission classify graphite as a critical raw material. Graphite is needed, among other things, for the production of batteries for electric vehicles and fuel cells. The aerospace industry and defence technology also use the material.
EPP intends to apply for funding from the British government's Critical Minerals Accelerator program to support the plans for graphite production. The program is intended to promote the commercialization of solutions in the field of critical minerals. This includes mining, processing, distribution, and recycling.
Quality of battery graphite tested
According to Hycamite, the independent commercial research laboratory Polaris Battery Labs in the USA has confirmed the quality of the battery graphite developed by Hycamite based on natural gas.
Matti Malkamäki, CEO of Hycamite, said: "In addition to the production of low-carbon hydrogen, our technology offers the possibility of producing material with a significantly lower CO2 footprint than before, at competitive prices and in locations where mined graphite is currently not further processed." This is essential for the climate, economic growth, and security.
Parallel cooperation with Associated British Ports
The cooperation between EnergyPathways and Hycamite runs parallel to the cooperation with Associated British Ports. As part of this cooperation, the partners are examining site options for a methane splitting plant and coal processing facilities at the port of Barrow.
