The Association for the Decarbonization of Industry (VzDI) and its partners inaugurated a unique methane pyrolysis plant on the V-ZUG production site. The innovative plant is the result of a visionary collaboration between 16 leading companies and Empa, with the assistance of the Canton of Zug. Realised with an investment of over CHF 8 m in recent years, it marks a significant step towards achieving Swiss industry’s net-zero targets by 2050.
Background and technology
Methane pyrolysis is an innovative technology in which methane (CH4) is broken down in a plasma. This produces hydrogen (H2) and solid carbon (C) allowing methane to be used for energy purposes without the CO2 entering the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. The carbon produced, on the other hand, can be reused as a valuable raw material in construction and agriculture. The industrial pilot plant is set to save around 240 tonnes of CO2 per year and will deliver up to 10 kg of hydrogen per hour with a purity of 95-99%. The hydrogen from this pilot plant will be used directly as a climatefriendly energy source in V-ZUG’s enamelling furnace, replacing fossil natural gas. This will enable V-ZUG to gradually decarbonise the enamelling plant, the last remaining CO2 emitter in its industrial processes. Around 66 tonnes of solid carbon will also be produced annually. This will be tested and used in ongoing investigations as a building material for concrete or asphalt and as a soil conditioner.
Project partners and funding
The project was initiated and coordinated by the VzDI. Key partners include Empa, a scientific institution, the companies Accelleron, AVAG, amag, Holcim, Metall Zug, Partners Group, Sakowin, SHL Medical, Siemens, Sika, Sulzer, Swiss Safety Center, Tech Cluster Zug, V-ZUG, VZ Depotbank and WWZ, and the Canton of Zug, which is providing political backing. The partners are contributing both technical expertise and financial resources to the push for sustainable change in Swiss industry.
“This innovation enables V-ZUG to drive the sustainable development of industrial processes and set new standards for emission-free production,” says Adrian Theiler, Chief Operations Officer at V-ZUG. “We are making targeted investments to make processes not only more efficient, but also more environmentally friendly.”
Image of V-ZUG
Press release https://h7.cl/1kfBa
