HYCO1 Celebrates Groundbreaking as Syngas Technology Provider for UBE Corporation’s New EV Electrolyte Plant in New Orleans

HOUSTON, Feb. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — UBE Corporation announced today that it held a groundbreaking ceremony today for a dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) plant near New Orleans, Louisiana. Approximately 180 people attended the ceremony, including many government officials, local communities, and constructors. From UBE, Masato Izumihara, President and Representative Director, Yuki Nishida, Representative Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, and officials from UBE C1 Chemicals America, Inc., which will manufacture DMC and EMC in the United States, attended the ceremony. HYCO1, a leader in syngas production and carbon utilization technology, proudly joins UBE Corporation in celebrating the groundbreaking of UBE’s state-of-the-art EV electrolyte plant. This milestone facility marks a major step forward in sustainable battery materials production, positioning the UBE facility as a key supplier for the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) market.

A Groundbreaking for the Future of EV Batteries

The groundbreaking event brought together industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders to commemorate the beginning of construction on the first-of-its-kind facility in the United States. This plant will revolutionize lithium-ion battery production by manufacturing dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) in the US — two essential components in high-performance EV batteries.

“We are excited for UBE and congratulate them on seeing this project move from concept to reality. We are working in partnership with UBE as a key syngas plant supplier, a company with a 128-year history and stellar reputation for delivering world-class projects” said HYCO1 CEO Greg Carr. “This groundbreaking is more than just turning dirt—it represents a major leap forward in low-carbon syngas innovation, specifically the world’s lowest cost carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H₂) production plant, setting the stage for sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective production of EV battery electrolytes in the industry.”

HYCO1’s Cutting-Edge Syngas Technology

UBE evaluated multiple syngas, CO and H₂ supply options based on traditional industrial gas production methods and suppliers in its sourcing of carbon monoxide CO and hydrogen (H₂). After extensive feasibility studies and engineering diligence, UBE selected HYCO1’s proprietary CUBE™ Technology. HYCO1’s process and catalyst technology enables the UBE plant to produce CO and H₂ gases more efficiently with substantial operational savings, and with the ability to add CO₂ as a feedstock to further lower product carbon scores, to increase efficiency and to lower emissions.

Key Benefits of HYCO1’s Technology:

• Operational Flexibility – HYCO1’s Catalyst allows for the use of lower-cost CO₂ in place of natural gas, further increasing the sustainability and efficiency of CUBE™ syngas plants.
• Operational Efficiency – HYCO1’s Catalyst reduces the energy required to produce CO and H₂ using lower steam requirements than traditional SMR catalysts as well as having superior heat and mass transfer efficiency.
• Operational Robustness – HYCO1’s Catalyst is designed to mitigate traditional syngas catalyst failure points resulting in superior temperature, pressure and flow operating ranges.

About UBE Corporation

UBE Corporation operates in the fields of chemistry and machinery, providing innovative solutions across various industries. With a commitment to sustainability and technological advancement, UBE continues to contribute to the development of society through its diverse range of products and services. The company was founded in 1897 when Sukesaku Watanabe —an industrialist, a member of the House of Representatives of Japan and a deputy mayor of Ube— established Okinoyama Coal Mine, the predecessor of the present Ube industries. Since then, the company has established six core business units: Chemicals & plastics, specialty chemicals & products, cement, pharmaceuticals, machinery and metal products, energy and environment. For more information, please visit www.ube.com.

About HYCO1

HYCO1 is the only carbon utilization company that cost-effectively captures industrial CO₂ emissions from the source and turns it into high-value, sustainable products without the need for government incentives. HYCO1 CUBE™ Technology (Carbon Utilization. Best Efficiency.) converts nearly 100% of CO₂ in a single reactor pass resulting in reduced natural gas requirements and producing low-cost, low-CI, high-grade syngas (H₂ and CO) at commercial scale. Such major milestones have never been achieved before now. HYCO1 provides a new way for industrial companies to repurpose their CO₂ emissions from being a costly burden into a profitable, low-carbon products opportunity.