UNICAT Technologies has secured an exclusive partnership with a world-leading designer and manufacturer of gas separation facilities to help large-scale industrial companies produce high-purity hydrogen (H₂).

The production of high-purity H₂ through pressure swing adsorption (PSA) gas separation systems is essential for many industrial processes, and also the global shift towards using cleaner energy.

UNICAT Technologies, based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK is part of the same group as UNICAT Catalyst Technologies, already a leading global supplier of catalyst products and related services in the refining, chemical, steel, agricultural and green energy industries.

Now, following the establishment of a new exclusive partnership with an Asian-based PSA specialist, it is able to offer a complete solution for the gas separation technology, which uses adsorbent materials to capture specific gases under pressure.

This Asian-based specialist boasts 30 years of experience and has installed 80 PSA plants, featuring technologies including gas purification and carbon recovery systems, specifically H₂ PSA and carbon capture.

It means the business is able to design and build highly-efficient PSA systems, which, with the use of its industry-leading adsorbents, can help industrial businesses hugely improve H₂ production and lower their energy costs, bringing huge efficiency improvements and savings to processes.

A huge step forward. Mark Godfrey, commercial director of UNICAT Technologies, said: “This is a huge step forward in our offering of PSA Systems, as we can now provide a comprehensive solution, from the design and build of the very best systems to using our world-leading adsorbents, all supported by innovative control systems and our comprehensive engineering services.

“The partnership has added world-leading expertise in designing and building PSA plants to our existing capabilities, enabling us to offer these advanced solutions globally.

“Our continued investment into research, innovation and development of plants has led to significant improvements in hydrogen recovery, production and purification in recent years, by utilising advanced adsorbents and optimising control systems.

“These innovations stem from our commitment to continuous improvement, addressing industry challenges, and reinvesting in catalyst and process technologies to support hydrocarbon processors. 

“However, UNICAT’s innovations are not only the result of internal expertise but also strategic partnerships with customers, working together to improve customer sustainability, efficiency and profitability.”

H₂ a critical resource for industries. H₂’s unique properties as a clean fuel and energy carrier make it indispensable across various industries, driving both economic growth and the transition toward sustainable energy solutions.

It is used in industries including the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and energy sectors, due to its unique properties and reactivity, as well as the critical role it plays in numerous chemical processes.

In addition to its applications in H₂ production, carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture technologies are becoming increasingly important in these industries. By capturing and reusing CO₂, businesses can enhance their sustainability efforts and reduce their overall carbon footprint.

High-purity H₂ allows for the efficient production of conventional fuels and renewables, maximizing efficiency and ensuring quality of industrial processes and products, while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

The company was awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in April 2022, having developed new spherical textured catalyst technology which transformed the process of purifying and separating gases, bringing huge efficiency improvements to industrial processes.