Technology firms Honeywell and Johnson Matthey have announced they will work together to bring a combined blue hydrogen technology to market.

Johnson Matthey’s LCH technology produces high-purity hydrogen from natural gas at scale, while Honeywell’s carbon-capture technology offers CO₂ capture rates of more than 99pc.

The result is an end-to-end technology that will enable direct process emissions to be less than 0.1kg CO₂/kg hydrogen, the firms say.

“By joining complementary technology elements, we will provide customers with a cost-effective approach that will enable meaningful reductions in emissions compared to conventional technology,” says Alberto Giovanzana, CCO of catalyst technologies at Johnson Matthey.

99pc – Honeywell technology capture rates

Johnson Matthey announced earlier this year that its catalyst technologies division was aiming to expand its offering through new strategic partnerships.

“We look forward to working with Honeywell on expanding our offering to include other sustainable technologies in the fuel and chemical spaces,” Giovanzana adds.

Honeywell carbon capture and storage solutions are already capturing 15mn t/yr CO₂ from around the world.

Earlier this year, Johnson Matthey reorganised its business following an in-depth review. The firm has simplified its operations, focusing on four key business areas: clean air, catalyst technologies, hydrogen technologies and precious group metal services. 

Traditionally, Johnson Matthey has made much of its profits from catalytic converters, which absorb emissions from petrol and diesel cars, and from battery materials.

But the former business has limited potential given the accelerating uptake of electric vehicles, while the latter's more traditional lithium-ion batteries has suffered from competition with alternative material technologies such as mid-nickel and lithium iron phosphate offered by other firms.

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Author: Tom Young