Carbon black is used in tyres, paint, electronics and even cleaning supplies but its production generates high emissions. The new Monolith’s plasma pyrolysis process, developed with Mines Paris, uses renewable electricity to convert natural gas into carbon black and hydrogen. The two companies have signed a new partnership and MOU
Monolith, a global leader in low-emission carbon black and hydrogen manufacturing, today announced it has renewed an expanded partnership with École des Mines de Paris-PSL (Mines Paris) through February 2030 in support of research and development (R&D) efforts at the organization’s facility in Sophia Antipolis, France.
Carbon black can be found in a variety of everyday products, from tyres and paint to electronics and cleaning supplies. While traditional carbon black production generates high emissions, Monolith’s plasma pyrolysis process, which has been developed in collaboration with Mines Paris, uses renewable electricity to convert conventional, renewable, or responsibly-sourced natural gas into carbon black and hydrogen, modernizing two age-old processes. Monolith’s first-of-its-kind innovation generates virtually no local emissions. Goodyear begun using carbon black in some tyres a year ago.
Monolith and Mines Paris, under the leadership of Dr. Laurent Fulcheri, first partnered over a decade ago to leverage the research university’s longstanding experience in thermal plasma processing and innovative pyrolysis technology to support Monolith’s efforts producing cleanly made products. With the expansion of this partnership, Monolith and Mines Paris will build on their success to date, scale groundbreaking research, and explore new possibilities in thermal plasma processing to continue driving innovation.
“Mines Paris has been an outstanding partner for nearly as long as our company has existed, working alongside our teams to discover and develop the most cutting-edge technologies out there,” said Rob Hanson, cofounder and CEO, Monolith. “Through this expanded relationship, our customers will have an opportunity to see firsthand the transformative research the Mines Paris team is conducting onsite, allowing them to collaborate and explore new ways low-emission carbon black can be used to make cleaner everyday products.”
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was executed today at a signing ceremony at Mines Paris.
What is carbon black and why is it bad for the environment?
Carbon black (with subtypes acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black and thermal black) is a material produced by the incomplete combustion of coal tar, vegetable matter, or petroleum products, including fuel oil, fluid catalytic cracking tar, and ethylene cracking in a limited supply of air. Carbon black is a form of paracrystalline carbon that has a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, albeit lower than that of activated carbon.
Carbon black is used as a colorant and reinforcing filler in tires and other rubber products; pigment and wear protection additive in plastics, paints, and ink pigment. It is used in the EU as a food colorant when produced from vegetable matter (E153).
The current International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluation is that, “Carbon black is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B)”. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of carbon black dust may produce discomfort to the upper respiratory tract through mechanical irritation.
A Collaborative Relationship Rooted in Research
In 2012, Monolith established a partnership with Mines Paris to utilize their decades of experience with thermal plasma processing. Over the past 12 years, Mines Paris has conducted highly impactful R&D programs, assisting Monolith in identifying process recipes for carbon black products, sustainable feedstocks and the feasibility of new feedstocks.
With the signing of today’s expanded agreement, Monolith is accelerating innovation on an international scale and creating potential new customer opportunities across a variety of industries.
Carbon Black & Monolith’s Innovative Pyrolysis Process
Carbon black can be found in a variety of everyday products, from tyres and paint to electronics and cleaning supplies. While traditional carbon black production generates high emissions, Monolith’s plasma pyrolysis process, which has been developed in collaboration with Mines Paris, uses renewable electricity to convert conventional, renewable, or responsibly-sourced natural gas into carbon black and hydrogen, modernizing two age-old processes. Monolith’s first-of-its-kind innovation generates virtually no local emissions.
For Vincent Laflèche, Managing Director of Mines Paris: “This partnership is emblematic of Mines Paris’ research commitment to supporting companies in the transition to a carbon-neutral world. It is also an illustration of the entrepreneurial spirit that has driven the School since its creation and is embodied here in an exemplary industrial success story. I am delighted that Monolith has chosen to create a research center with us in Sophia Antipolis.”
This announcement follows Monolith’s partnership with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for select tires. Supported by Mines Paris research, Monolith’s carbon black product resulted in the first use of low-emission carbon black in tyre manufacturing. Headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., Monolith currently operates its commercial-scale production facility in Hallam, Neb. and has offices and R&D facilities in San Carlos, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Kansas City, Kan.
About Monolith
Monolith is a next‐generation clean materials company that uses 100% carbon-free energy as part of a proprietary process to convert conventional, renewable, or responsibly-sourced natural gas to carbon black and hydrogen in an environmentally advantaged manner. Monolith is backed by Azimuth Capital Management, Cornell Capital LLC, Decarbonization Partners, Elda River Capital Management, LLC, Imperative Ventures, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, Perry Creek Capital LP, SK Inc., TPG Rise Climate and Warburg Pincus.
About Mines Paris
Since it was founded 240 years ago, Mines Paris – PSL has been preparing engineers with the essential skills and knowledge to help companies meet the challenges of their time. Originally, that meant mining to produce the energy needed for the great industrialization. Today, Mines Paris – PSL is focuses more on ecological transition and digital transformation. A founding member of Université PSL, Mines Paris – PSL is a leading French engineering school, and the leader in research partnerships.
