Hycamite, MOLEA, and MOL PLUS have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance methane-splitting technology for cleaner power generation and propulsion on marine vessels.
Hycamite is set to commence operations at its first industrial-scale methane-splitting plant in Kokkola, Finland, by early 2025.
The partnership will explore the potential of integrating Hycamite's technology into marine applications.
This technology allows LNG-powered ships to produce hydrogen while at sea by converting methane, with the resulting solid carbon being stored and later disposed of at the destination port.
The solid carbon byproduct, once offloaded, offers additional environmental benefits by preventing the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Hycamite CEO Laura Rahikka said: “Hycamite has been working on the marine application through the development programme partly financed by Business Finland since 2022 and as we are starting the operations of our industrial-scale demonstration facility, we expect to gain a steep development in the understanding of the possibilities that our technology can bring.
“Our technology focuses on decarbonising some of the most hard-to-abate sectors in the world and marine traffic is one of those.”
In September this year, Wartsila Marine and Hycamite announced the development of a cost-effective hydrogen production system from LNG onboard vessels, reducing CO2 and methane emissions.
In 2022, Wartsila signed a joint development agreement with Hycamite TCD Technologies for the on-board production of hydrogen from liquefied natural gas (LNG).
