Chennai startup turns methane into hydrogen, carbon black

Chennai-based deeptech startup Hypersonic Technologies has launched a process that converts methane into hydrogen and carbon black, offering industrial customers two revenue streams to offset production costs while cutting emissions.

The company, which has not disclosed funding details, is betting on the sale of carbon black—a material used in tires, batteries, and coatings—to help cover the higher costs of hydrogen production compared to conventional methods. Methane pyrolysis, the core technology, splits methane molecules into hydrogen gas and solid carbon without producing CO₂, addressing a key challenge for hydrogen adoption.

Hypersonic’s approach mirrors a broader trend among climate startups pivoting to revenue-generating models amid sluggish policy support and corporate demand. When we covered Spiritus on 24 September, the carbon capture startup shifted to selling CO₂ to oil producers for enhanced recovery, abandoning its original sequestration focus after funding dried up. Similarly, another unnamed carbon removal startup made the same pivot, reflecting a pattern where startups prioritize near-term revenue over long-term climate goals when incentives misalign.

The startup’s success may hinge on whether industrial buyers value the emissions reduction enough to pay a premium for hydrogen and carbon black. Without stronger carbon pricing or regulations, Hypersonic’s model could face the same headwinds that forced other climate startups to adapt—or retreat.

Sources: yourstory.com