De Nora received the 2024 National Invention Award in Japan, together with Yokohama National University and ENEOS Corporation

Milan, 12th July 2024 – De Nora Permelec Ltd., a subsidiary of Industrie De Nora, Yokohama National University and ENEOS Corporation, have been awarded the "Future Creation Invention Encouragement Award" and the "Future Creation Invention Contribution Award" at the "Reiwa 6 National Invention Award", sponsored by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.

The National Commendation for Invention aims to improve science and technology and develop industry in Japan. It recognizes inventions and designs that made or are expected to make significant achievements in the future due to their excellence.

The invention for which the three parties have been awarded is an organic hydride production apparatus and a manufacturing method for a highly durable hydrogen carrier called methylcyclohexane. Specifically, hydrogen carriers are organic compounds capable of reversibly binding and releasing hydrogen under safe conditions, thereby serving as storage media for hydrogen, a versatile energy vector. The allure of these organic carriers stems from their ability to address key challenges associated with hydrogen storage and transportation. Unlike gaseous or cryogenic hydrogen storage methods, hydrogen carriers offer high volumetric and gravimetric hydrogen densities, like conventional liquid fuels, enabling compact and energy-dense storage.

The award-winning organic hydride electrolytic synthesis method, named Direct MCH®, is based on the electrochemical reaction of reducing toluene to methylcyclohexane using electricity derived from renewable energy. This way, methylcyclohexane, a substance with petroleum-like characteristics that is easy to ship, is produced. The awarded technology significantly reduces shipping costs compared to conventional methods, which involve storing hydrogen produced by water electrolysis in a tank by chemically reacting it with toluene and is expected to contribute to realizing a carbon-neutral society.

The invention was possible thanks to research in the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) of the Japan Science and Technology Agency: it solves the problem of durability, which quickly reduces manufacturing efficiency, and can be scaled up to a pilot scale, contributing to the demonstration's success in constructing a CO2-free hydrogen supply chain in Australia in 2023.

The three parties will continue to promote the development of the Direct MCH® technology to enhance its cost-competitiveness. This will ultimately shape a full-fledged hydrogen-fed, decarbonized, and recycling-oriented society and steadily advance the next-generation energy transition.