US-based start-up, Molten Industries, has made a groundbreaking advancement in battery technology for electric vehicles (EVs). The company has developed a unique technique to convert methane into graphite, a crucial material for lithium-ion batteries used in EVs. This innovation has the potential to establish a strong US supply chain for essential materials currently dominated by China.
Backed by a $25 million Series A financing round led by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV), Molten Industries has developed a pyrolysis process that heats methane to produce battery-grade graphite and hydrogen. Unlike other methods that result in unsuitable carbon products, Molten’s process ensures the production of high-quality graphite for battery use using resistive heating, which is more efficient than other heating methods.
The company has already built a pilot reactor in Oakland and is working on a commercial-scale unit expected to be operational next year. The unit will have the capacity to produce 500kg of hydrogen and 1,500kg of graphite daily. However, the future demand for graphite remains uncertain as competing materials like lithium, silicon, and hard carbon may disrupt the market, potentially halving the demand for graphite by 2035, according to BloombergNEF.
Molten Industries’ innovative approach to converting methane into battery components could revolutionize the EV industry and reduce reliance on imported materials, marking a significant step towards sustainable and efficient battery production for electric vehicles.
