Plasma Carbon Black

British technology startup HiiROC has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tokyo Gas to explore producing clean hydrogen and a solid carbon by-product through a single thermal plasma electrolysis process, opening a potential route to plasma carbon black.

A Plasma-Based Route

Set out in a statement dated January 13 and signed earlier in 2025, the agreement lays out several areas of collaboration between the two companies. Both parties intend to assess how HiiROC’s technology could help decarbonise the industrial operations and energy assets managed by Tokyo Gas customers across Japan, a market where applying the platform could contribute to the development of lower-carbon industrial materials.

How Thermal Plasma Electrolysis Works

HiiROC’s platform relies on thermal plasma electrolysis, which splits hydrocarbons such as methane using an electrical field generated by plasma torches. Unlike conventional pyrolysis, the process does not depend on external heat. The company reports that the method produces hydrogen using significantly less electricity than water electrolysis, while avoiding direct carbon dioxide emissions in the process itself.

A Solid Carbon By-Product

The process also yields a solid carbon by-product. Under the collaboration with Tokyo Gas, this material will be evaluated for its suitability in carbon black applications, potentially offering a lower-emissions alternative to the conventional fossil-based carbon black used in rubber, plastics and other industrial products. The partners also intend to examine potential applications for the solid carbon among Tokyo Gas customers and third-party industrial users.

Commercial Possibilities

Beyond the technical assessment, the arrangement leaves room for discussions around possible future investment tied to the technology and its commercialisation. HiiROC’s chief executive said the collaboration was intended to accelerate decarbonisation across the energy and industrial sectors while opening new opportunities within the carbon black value chain, a supply chain in which recovered and lower-carbon alternatives are drawing increasing interest as the industry looks to cut its footprint.

Learn More:

• Recovered Carbon Black Production
• Advanced Tire Pyrolysis Technology
• Feasibility Studies for Waste-to-Value Projects

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