VulcanX aims to scale these practical, low-emission solutions to support decarbonization and help build a climate-resilient future.

NCEC Interview Questions

1.     How does VulcanX contribute to removing carbon from the atmosphere?

VulcanX, a spinoff from the University of British Columbia’s Mérida Labs, is developing a hydrogen generation technology based on methane pyrolysis. It sequesters carbon as a solid by producing hydrogen from natural gas. And it enables the use of solid carbon as an additive for concrete. The resulting concrete is stronger, lighter and hydrophobic.

Instead of using traditional methods to produce hydrogen that emit a lot of CO₂ and require large amounts of water, VulcanX uses a process called methane pyrolysis. In simple terms, natural gas is bubbled through a hot liquid metal. This breaks it apart into hydrogen gas and solid carbon. The hydrogen can be used for clean energy in transportation, industry, and buildings, while the solid carbon is captured and added to concrete, making the concrete stronger and locking away the carbon long-term.

This process creates over 70% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, doesn’t use water, and provides a practical way to store carbon while producing affordable, low-emission hydrogen. By scaling this technology, VulcanX is offering a new, cleaner path forward for industries that rely on hydrogen and concrete.

2.     What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in carbon removal? 

One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is scaling up from a working lab prototype to a fully operational demonstration plant. While the core process of methane pyrolysis is strong from a scientific perspective, putting it into practice at scale is a different story. It requires running complex systems, maintaining extremely high temperatures, and making sure the process performs consistently.

Another key challenge has been figuring out what to do with the solid carbon we produce. In the beginning, there wasn’t an obvious or scalable way to store or reuse it that also made sense environmentally. After a lot of exploration, we landed on incorporating the carbon into concrete. That turned out to be the most effective solution. It not only gives the carbon a durable second life but also improves the concrete making it stronger, lighter, and water-resistant. What makes this even more impactful is that this approach allows us to store up to five times more carbon than what would be achieved by simply avoiding emissions.

3.     Who are the key stakeholders in the carbon removal space?

Stakeholders range from high-emission industries to those leading decarbonization efforts like cement, utilities, oil and gas, transportation, and agriculture. These sectors either contribute heavily to emissions or are well-positioned to adopt cleaner solutions. For VulcanX, key partners also include clean energy providers, municipalities, and companies moving toward hydrogen for energy and industrial use. On the carbon reuse side, we’re looking at battery and tire manufacturers, and the construction sector, where solid carbon can be put to real use. Carbon removal depends on collaboration.

4.     Who else is doing work like this in the field?

There’s growing interest in using methane pyrolysis to turn natural gas into hydrogen and solid carbon, and several companies are exploring it as a cleaner alternative to traditional hydrogen production. What sets VulcanX apart is what we do with the carbon. We go beyond just capturing it, we actively use it to reduce concrete emissions by blending it into building materials. That combination of clean hydrogen production and practical carbon reuse makes our approach stand out in the carbon tech space.

5.     How is this a viable financial model?

VulcanX can produce hydrogen for under $2 per kilogram, which is on par with conventional fossil-based methods like steam methane reforming. What strengthens the model is the solid carbon by-product it improves concrete and creates a new revenue stream through carbon additives. So instead of just reducing emissions, we’re also adding value. That dual-output system makes the process both commercially viable and climate-positive.

6.     What happens to the carbon when removed?

• Is there a market for it?

• How is it stored/managed?

Once removed, the carbon produced through VulcanX’s methane pyrolysis process is captured in solid form, making it much easier to store and manage than gaseous CO₂. This solid carbon has a well-defined market use: it can be added directly to concrete mixtures, up to 6% by weight, to enhance material performance.

Not only does this provide a practical use for the carbon, but it also turns it into a long-term storage solution, locking it into built infrastructure. Because the carbon remains stable in solid form, it can be easily transported and blended with cement during construction, creating both environmental and economic value while avoiding the need for complex storage systems.

7.     How are you measuring carbon removal, how is it verified? 

At VulcanX, we measure and verify carbon removal by tracking the solid carbon that’s separated from natural gas during methane pyrolysis. Since the carbon stays in solid form, we’re able to physically collect and weigh it, which makes the process simple and transparent. This direct method gives us a clear and reliable way to quantify how much carbon we’re removing, and it helps ensure the accuracy and integrity of our results.

8.     How do groups like the New Carbon Economy Consortium allow you to further your progress? 

The New Carbon Economy Consortium (NCEC) supports VulcanX’s progress by fostering collaboration among innovators, academia, and industry leaders. As a university spinoff company, VulcanX can leverage NCEC’s platform to refine its methane pyrolysis technology, which produces low-emission hydrogen and solid carbon.

The NCEC can facilitate partnerships to integrate VulcanX’s technology into industrial applications, develop new uses for solid carbon, and quantify avoided emissions for carbon credits. Through NCEC, VulcanX can gain access to funding, networks of investors, and global energy leaders, supporting its scale-up efforts and market adoption. By aligning with British Columbia’s CleanBC strategy, VulcanX contributes to net-zero goals while creating economic opportunities through innovative carbon management and utilization. Overall, NCEC accelerates VulcanX’s impact on emission reductions and sustainable economic growth.

9.     How do you work with local communities?

We work closely with local stakeholders to figure out how our low-emission hydrogen and solid carbon can deliver real, practical benefits. The hydrogen we produce can support cleaner energy in homes and buildings by serving as a zero-emission fuel for heating and electricity. At the same time, the solid carbon by-product strengthens concrete and can be used in nearby infrastructure projects, helping to cut emissions while improving performance.

10.   Anything else you’d like to share?

VulcanX spun out from The University of British Columbia and has received support from all levels of government as it transitions from academic research into scalable, real-world impact. With roots in the cutting-edge work of Mérida Labs, the company is combining scientific innovation with practical applications to deliver low-emission hydrogen and solid carbon for industrial use. As we move toward commercialization, we remain committed to environmental performance, community engagement, and advancing sustainable infrastructure. We are actively seeking strategic partners and investors who share our vision for a cleaner energy future and a circular carbon economy.