US duo looking to use methanol as feedstock for hydrogen production

U.S technology start-up Oxylus Energy and compatriot technology company Element 1 have partnered to explore the use of Oxylus’s green methanol as a feedstock for point-of-use hydrogen production.

As disclosed, Element 1 is evaluating the feasibility of using green methanol produced by Oxylus’s proprietary CO2-to-methanol technology as a feedstock for its hydrogen generation units.

Once validated, the partnership could, reportedly, provide industrial facilities with a pathway to repurpose CO2 emissions into green methanol, which can then be used for downstream hydrogen production. The companies said that this could support a range of applications, including hydrogen refueling stations, decentralized power generation and onboard hydrogen production for fuel-cell-powered vehicles, trains, aircraft and maritime vessels.

Perry Bakas, CEO of Oxylus Energy, commented: “Our vision at Oxylus Energy is to create a circular economy for carbon dioxide. By working with Element 1, we are exploring a high-impact opportunity to transform industrial CO2 emissions into a clean hydrogen supply chain. By using methanol made from recycled CO2, the commercially-deployed methanol-to-hydrogen products offered by Element 1 provide immediate benefit in emissions reduction—not only with respect to reducing GHG, but also eliminating other harmful engine pollutants including PM, NOx, and SOx.”

In 2025, Element 1 also joined forces with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, a Japanese methanol manufacturer and supplier for chemical and energy sectors, and Methanol Reformer, a Spanish manufacturer of methanol-to-hydrogen generators, for the development and commercialization of hydrogen solutions by methanol reforming technology.

It is understood that Mitsubishi Gas Chemical will contribute as a supplier of methanol feedstock, including circular carbon methanol, by utilization of its presence in the global methanol value chain, while Methanol Reformer will contribute its manufacturing capabilities of methanol-to-hydrogen generators under the license from Element 1. Reportedly, Element 1 will provide its methanol steam reforming and hydrogen purification intellectual property and designs.