Levidian's decarbonization technology will be deployed in the UK for the first time as part of a collaboration with solutions business Eco Group. Levidian stated that Eco Group’s deployment in the south of Scotland will be the first remote implementation of the LOOP technology in the UK. It is also a world-first deployment of a LOOP system with fully integrated hydrogen separation.
The LOOP device uses a patented low temperature, low pressure process to crack methane into its constituent atoms, hydrogen and carbon, without the need for catalysts or additives - decarbonizing methane-rich gas to deliver hydrogen and graphene on site.
Following the initial deployment of the LOOP10 system at Eco’s HQ at Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, the firm has committed to working with clients and partners to deploy more than 60 larger LOOP1000 units across Scotland and beyond over the next five years. This will create decentralized hydrogen hubs to support industrial decarbonization, enabling reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and creating products essential to net zero ambitions. A single LOOP1000 reportedly reduces CO2 equivalent (CO2e) by approximately 2,400 tonnes per year.
The hydrogen produced by the first LOOP10 demonstration unit at Eco will be used for R&D projects for hydrogen technology innovation across all sectors.
Eco Group will also be a distributor of graphene, focusing on R&D applications for the use of graphene as an advanced additive in the aerospace, automotive, 3D printing, textiles, and energy sectors.
Business and community development agency, South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), has engaged with Eco Group for a considerable period, providing guidance and now a £331,000 grant to support their innovative project.
Eddie Black, MD of Eco Group, said: “We are delighted to enter into our new partnership with Levidian and deploy this pioneering technology in the south of Scotland. Our partnership has the potential to transform our region and to lead in decarbonization. This technology will not only create green jobs, it will also demonstrate to industry leaders the opportunities to decarbonize their organizations and sectors while leading the way on innovation, in addition to making positive impacts on net zero aspirations through carbon reduction, new technology deployment and more sustainable materials. Eco’s ambition is for Scotland to be positioned as a global leader for green technology innovation.”
Levidian CEO, John Hartley, said: “Levidian’s agreement with Eco Group will see our first LOOP with fully integrated hydrogen separation deployed in Scotland. LOOP will be a powerful tool for industrial decarbonization and fits in well with Scotland’s green ambitions – we’re looking forward to working with Eco to deploy LOOPs and integrate graphene to help us drive towards net zero.”