CALGARY, AB (April 4, 2024): NGIF Accelerator, through its Industry Grants program, is leading the way in supporting cleantech innovation in Canada by announcing a funding contribution of $411,371 to support Molten Alloy Technologies (MAT) Inc. in their emissions-reducing technology project titled “Molten Alloy Reactors for Methane Pyrolysis and Carbon Dioxide Decomposition.”
MAT Inc., a new start-up company born from the University of Calgary, has developed new low-emissions technologies for methane conversion to solid carbon and hydrogen and carbon dioxide conversion to solid carbon and oxygen. With the support of NGIF Accelerator’s Industry Grants funding, MAT will scale up its technology within the laboratory and deliver field-scale designs for testing in a field pilot.
The project’s goal is to create a modular, stable, and efficient methane pyrolysis process with minimal emissions. Using a stable liquid metal alloy as a catalyst, the approach selectively creates hydrogen with ultra-low emissions and separable solid carbon. The pure carbon solids produced can be utilized as feedstock for a variety of valuable products, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon lubricants.
Image: Molten Alloy’s Reactor
The overall objective of the project is to design and construct a small field-scale unit to demonstrate the technology and its capabilities in a real-world setting. The system provides substantial environmental benefits by reducing emissions by approximately 97% per unit of hydrogen generated when compared to traditional processes.
“We are excited to support MAT Inc. in their work to reduce emissions from hydrogen production and create valuable by-products from natural gas,” said John Adams, President and CEO of NGIF Accelerator and Managing Partner of NGIF Cleantech Ventures. “Our Industry Grants program and its focus on de-risking clean technologies through field trials and pilots are part of NGIF’s integrated model of industry validation, customer creation, and technology commercialization.”
“MAT Inc.’s technology is a game-changer with respect to the conversion of methane to solid carbon and hydrogen and the transformation of carbon dioxide to carbon, oxygen, and carbon monoxide. The invaluable support from the NGIF Accelerator has been crucial for helping us to refine the reactor and molten alloy catalyst designs as well as scale up our technology to move it from lab to real-world application,” said Dr. Jingyi Wang, CEO, Molten Alloy Technologies Inc.
“Canadians want and need the affordable, reliable, clean energy service offering they have come to expect from the natural gas industry. When we created NGIF, it was our vision to bring the entire natural gas value chain together to support cleantech development that enhances environmental and economic performance for the sector. I am glad to see our vision in action as NGIF continues to support technologies like Molten Alloy Technologies’ reactor,” said Timothy M. Egan, President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association and Chair, NGIF Capital Corporation.
Industry Grants Participants and Project Partners
About Industry Grants program
The Industry Grants program is industry-led and offers non-dilutive grants to fund early-stage startups for technology development and field demonstration. The program specifically de-risks pre-commercial technology solutions that have the potential to increase the environmental performance of the natural gas sector. Each project in the program will accelerate technology readiness level progressions through controlled pilot testing and field trials to advance commercialization.
About NGIF Accelerator
NGIF Accelerator is the not-for-profit arm of NGIF Capital and will operate all technology and innovation programs. The NGIF Accelerator mandate is to de-risk and accelerate technology development by supporting startups through their pilot projects, field trials, and industry validation. It will coordinate with federal and provincial governments to co-fund projects to advance market commercialization. NGIF Accelerator currently operates the Industry Grants program and the Emissions Testing Centre program.
About Molten Alloy Technologies, Inc.
Molten Alloy Technologies (MAT) Inc. is a new start-up company born at the University of Calgary. MAT has discovered new low-emissions technologies for methane conversion to solid carbon and hydrogen, both valuable products, as well as carbon dioxide conversion to solid carbon and oxygen.
About Canadian Gas Association
The Canadian Gas Association (CGA) is the voice of Canada’s gas energy delivery industry, including natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), and hydrogen. Its members are distribution and transmission companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers and other service providers. Today, natural gas meets 38 per cent of the country’s energy needs.
Fund Information:
John Adams
President and CEO, NGIF Accelerator
President and CEO, NGIF Capital Corporation
Media Information:
Ayoola Ajibare
Communications Coordinator, NGIF Capital Corporation
(403)-389-2212
aajibare@ngif.ca
