New Energies, new possibilities

NEW HAVEN, Conn.-- Oxylus Energy, a carbon conversion startup pioneering direct CO₂-to-methanol technology, and Element 1® Corp, a global leader in advanced hydrogen generation systems for fuel cell applications, announced today a joint research and development initiative to explore the use of Oxylus’s green methanol as a feedstock for point-of-use hydrogen production.

Under the collaboration, Element 1® is evaluating the feasibility of using green methanol produced by Oxylus’s proprietary CO₂-to-methanol technology as a feedstock for its hydrogen generation units, enabling on-demand hydrogen production and electricity generation. By integrating these technologies, the two companies aim to create a scalable, low-carbon energy solution for applications where grid independence, flexibility, and emissions reduction are critical.

Once validated, the partnership could provide industrial facilities with an efficient pathway to repurpose CO₂ emissions into green methanol, which can then be used for downstream hydrogen production. This breakthrough could support a range of applications, including hydrogen refueling stations, decentralized power generation, and onboard hydrogen production for fuel-cell-powered vehicles, trains, aircraft, and maritime vessels.

"Our vision at Oxylus Energy is to create a circular economy for carbon dioxide," said Perry Bakas, CEO. "By working with Element 1®, we are exploring a high-impact opportunity to transform industrial CO₂ emissions into a clean hydrogen supply chain."

"By using methanol made from recycled CO₂, the commercially-deployed methanol-to-hydrogen products offered by Element 1® provide immediate benefit in emissions reduction—not only with respect to reducing GHG, but also eliminating other harmful engine pollutants including PM, NOx, and SOx."

The partnership between Oxylus Energy and Element 1® Corp represents a step forward in advancing low-carbon hydrogen solutions, providing industries with a practical way to reduce emissions while ensuring reliable, on-demand energy.

About Oxylus Energy

Oxylus Energy is a climate technology company converts of carbon dioxide into green methanol. With breakthrough efficiency and cost advantages, Oxylus enables scalable decarbonization for hard-to-abate sectors, including shipping, aviation, and chemical production. To learn more, go to: https://www.oxylusenergy.com/

About Element 1®

Element 1® Corp. is a leading developer of advanced hydrogen generation technology, specializing in the design and production of on-site, on-demand methanol-based hydrogen generators for fuel cells and electric power generation.
https://www.e1na.com/

• Membrane makes water electrolysis more cost-effective
• Pilot plant for production of anion exchange membranes in Marl to start operation at the end of 2025
• Plant will also produce reinforced membranes to meet growing customer demand

Essen-- Evonik is building a pilot plant in Marl, Germany, for the production of its innovative and high-performance anion exchange membrane (AEM). Developed by Evonik the membrane is marketed under the name DURAION®.

A central element in AEM water electrolysis, DURAION® membranes enable the cost competitive production of green hydrogen. Evonik is investing a low double-digit million euro amount in the AEM plant, which is scheduled to go online at the end of 2025.

“This strategic investment ties in with our business goals of further growing our pioneering membranes into a true enabler of the burgeoning green hydrogen economy,” says Goetz Baumgarten, head of the Membranes & Fibres product line at Evonik’s High Performance Polymers business line.

The DURAION® membranes produced at the AEM plant in Marl will be at a quality suitable for use in commercial electrolyzer systems. Once fully online, the plant will be able to produce enough membranes each year to provide 2.5 GW of electrolysis capacity for hydrogen production. In addition, the plant will be able to produce reinforced membranes, directly addressing growing customer interest in this new technology.

Compared to conventional electrolysis processes, AEM technology promises lower investment costs due to the use of less expensive materials for the cells. In addition, the technology enables high current densities and very good efficiency.

“The successful development of our DURAION® membrane was possible thanks to the joint efforts of Evonik’s wide-ranging expertise and technology,” says Christian Däschlein, head of the New Growth Area Hydrogen Economy at Creavis, Evonik’s strategic innovation unit and business incubator.

The membrane is a polymer and a high-tech product: on the one hand, it has to allow anions to pass through, but on the other hand, it has to be impermeable to the gases produced in the electrolysis, such as hydrogen. It also has to be able to withstand high pressure and high temperatures.

“Across our many disciplines, we were able to combine polymer design and synthesis, engineering, membrane manufacturing as well as customer and market feedback,” says Christian Däschlein.

In the last twelve months, Evonik has steadily increased the production capacity of the intermediate products used in DURAION® membranes. The construction of the plant in Marl capitalizes on this higher capacity, and is the next step for the company in the planned expansion of its membrane business.

For more information on Evonik’s DURAION® anion exchange membranes, visit https://www.membrane-separation.com/en/hydrogen