Topsoe, a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies, and Aramco, a global integrated energy and chemicals company, have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to produce low-carbon H₂, also referred to as blue H₂, using Topsoe’s ground-breaking eREACT™ technology in Aramco’s Shaybah NGL facility. The JDA underlines the two parties’ strategic collaboration and ambitions to bring carbon-reducing technology to the market.

This collaboration will further demonstrate integration of Aramco’s innovative palladium-alloy membrane technology ensuring the production of low-carbon H₂ with simultaneous CO₂ capture. Aramco's contribution is instrumental, as it brings its extensive resources, expertise, and global reach to enable the commercialization of this technology.

By combining Topsoe's expertise in carbon emission reduction technologies with Aramco's resources, this strategic collaboration will accelerate the adoption of this novel low-carbon H₂ technology on a global scale. The successful commercialization of eREACT™ technology will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the energy and chemical sectors.

Elena Scaltritti, Chief Commercial Officer at Topsoe, said, “We are excited to strengthen our collaboration with Aramco further. With this joint development agreement, we are demonstrating the significant commercial viability of our eREACT™ technology and its benefits to low-carbon H₂ production. This technology holds a significant potential as part of the low-carbon H₂ economy, and we are excited to deliver on the project in due course.”

Ali A Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination, said, “Our collaboration with Topsoe will bring together the expertise of our two companies in attempting to create a cutting-edge technology solution to develop a lower-carbon H₂ production technology from hydrocarbons. By leveraging Aramco’s oil and gas infrastructure and abundantly available renewable resources in the Kingdom, we plan to enable the commercial deployment of this novel technology.”

What is eREACT™

eREACT™ is a novel technology for production of low-carbon H₂ and fuels. The heart of the technology is an innovative electrified reactor design, which can convert a variety of feedstocks into low-carbon H₂ or other chemicals and fuels. With the eREACT™ technology it is possible to develop new production routes combining renewable electricity and natural gas while greatly reducing flue gas emissions. Due to its versatility, the technology has the potential to play an important role in the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

Once successfully deployed, the eREACT™ technology is intended to replace fossil fuel used for heating the reformer, with an electrified heating.  Efficiencies gained through the electrified heating has the potential of reducing the gas volumes needed for H₂ production by up to 30%, as presently demonstrated at pilot scale.

The carbon-reducing potential of eREACT™ further increases if the process is combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).