In the global race to tackle climate change, one greenhouse gas stands out as a relentless troublemaker: methane. Although less famous than carbon dioxide, methane packs an 84-times greater warming punch over a 20-year span, making its reduction one of the biggest opportunities to curb global emissions. Enter Levidian, a UK-based climate tech firm that’s flipping the script on methane—transforming this harmful gas into valuable hydrogen and graphene.
Leading the charge is Levidian’s patented LOOP system. Imagine a sleek metal chamber, harnessing microwaves to crack methane into two prize commodities: a clean fuel for tomorrow’s vehicles and industry, and a wonder material with potential to revolutionize everything from tires to medical gloves. By capturing a “villain” and rebranding it as a “resource,” Levidian’s approach is reinvigorating how major industries think about decarbonization.
The Methane Menace
Methane is released by a myriad of sources: landfills rotting organic waste, wastewater treatment plants handling sewage, and even cow digestion. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), cutting methane emissions can yield immediate climate benefits—buying us precious time to transition toward renewable energy. Yet many industries find it hard to capture or reduce methane. That’s why the LOOP system matters: it offers a cost-saving, profit-generating alternative to simply flaring or venting the gas.
Scaling the “Impossible”
Levidian CEO John Hartley compares methane to a “worthless liability” that can become an asset—if captured and split with minimal energy. “That’s where the magic of LOOP happens,” he says. And the “magic” is grounded in proven chemistry: microwaves break methane molecules, forming hydrogen (ideal for clean combustion) and graphene (a game-changing, super-strong carbon form discovered only 20 years ago).
How LOOP Works
- Methane In: The system receives methane (CH4) from a pipeline, landfill, or biogas facility.
- Microwave Pyrolysis: Special nozzles and microwaves split CH4 into solid carbon and hydrogen.
- Carbon Output: The carbon is stored as graphene—a black, powdery substance with myriad commercial uses.
- Hydrogen Gas: The leftover hydrogen becomes a clean-burning fuel, releasing only water vapor.
Unlike typical carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions that bury CO2 underground, LOOP outputs carbon in a stable, marketable form. This eliminates the risk of leaks from CO2 sequestration and provides a brand-new revenue stream.
“We’re capturing carbon pre-combustion,” says Hartley. “That’s more efficient, and it eliminates the risk of stored CO2 escaping.”
The “Black Gold” of Materials
Discovered in 2003 and announced in 2004 by a team led by Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov at the University of Manchester, graphene is touted as the strongest material on Earth—stronger than steel, yet flexible enough to revolutionize electronics, cement, batteries, and more. “We call it the super material,” says Dr. Ellie Galanis, head of commercial development at Levidian. “You can put it into tires, so they wear down slower; or into concrete, so it’s more durable and uses fewer resources.”
Future Applications
Tires: Extended lifespan and better fuel efficiency.
Medical Gloves: Less prone to punctures, and more sustainable.
Batteries: Potentially better energy density for electric vehicles.
Plastic Packaging: Strengthens containers, requiring fewer petrochemicals.
All while preventing carbon from polluting the air. Win-win.
Clean Fuel for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors
The hydrogen produced via methane pyrolysis is free of carbon dioxide byproducts, making it a clean energy source for trucks, ships, or industrial processes. As hydrogen adoption grows—particularly in heavy industries and large vehicles—LOOP offers a vital supply route without the usual carbon footprint from steam methane reforming.
Global hydrogen demand is projected to double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). But scaling green hydrogen remains costly. By capturing methane from existing waste or fossil streams, Levidian’s system circumvents the need for electrolysis or expensive feedstock.
Real-World Pilots
1) Converting Waste in Abu Dhabi (Tadweer)
The Middle East’s largest waste management facility, Tadweer, faces a pressing challenge: landfill emissions. According to UNEP, landfills contribute up to 20% of global methane output. By installing LOOP at an Abu Dhabi landfill, Levidian aims to “clean up landfill gas to create hydrogen and graphene.”
- Capture Landfill Methane: Usually vented or flared, now it’s funneled to the LOOP.
- Produce Fuel: Hydrogen runs on-site generators, further cutting emissions.
- Sell Graphene: A valuable commodity that offsets operational costs.
If successful, expansion could yield enormous cuts in greenhouse gas output—millions of tons of carbon each year. “[This] means the project pays for itself,” says Hartley. “Without it, the cost of cleaning methane becomes a financial burden.”
2) Cleaning Carbon from Wastewater with United Utilities
In the UK, United Utilities runs one of the country’s largest wastewater treatment plants. Sludge digestion produces biogas—a mix of methane and CO2—to generate energy, but some escapes or remains unused. The pilot with Levidian channels that biogas into LOOP, which yields hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicle fleets and graphene for cement reinforcement.
Potential Gains:
50 tonnes of methane abated each year.
10 tonnes of hydrogen produced.
Graphene added to cement could cut material usage by 50%.
With expansions across 47 water treatment sites in northwest England, the climate impact soars—6,500 tons of methane abated, 7,000 tons of hydrogen created annually.
“It’s not about 2050. It’s about delivering benefits today,” emphasizes Lisa Mansell, Chief Engineer (Innovation) at United Utilities.
Industrial-Scale Decarbonization
In a May 2023 agreement, Baker Hughes and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) pledged to deploy LOOP tech at an ADNOC Gas facility. The pilot aims to:
Turn methane into high-quality graphene.
Field-test the hydrogen output.
Evaluate industrial use cases via Khalifa University’s RIC-2D lab.
The alliance demonstrates how big oil and gas can pivot to cleaner operations. “LOOP showcases the reality of practical, innovative solutions,” says John Hartley.
The Business Case
- Revenue Streams: By selling graphene and hydrogen, industries offset the cost of capturing methane.
- Carbon Credits: Many global markets incentivize emissions reductions, adding potential financial rewards.
- Future-Proofing: Tighter methane regulations loom. Proactive companies gain a competitive edge.
- Sustainability Branding: Show customers genuine decarbonization, not just greenwashing.
Challenges to Overcome
Scaling: Ramping up production capacity to handle billions of cubic meters of methane worldwide.
Installation Costs: While smaller than typical CCS systems, capital outlay for multiple LOOP units can be substantial.
Gas Purity: Methane from landfills or wastewater includes contaminants. Pre-processing steps must be robust.
Market Demand for Graphene: The commodity’s value depends on stable demand; oversupply might reduce profitability.
Yet, the vision is big, and the progress is already tangible. By forging alliances with multinational stakeholders, Levidian signals they’re set on bridging technology readiness with real-world deployment.
Engaging Citizens
Though highly technical, the shift toward carbon-neutral operations touches everyone. By championing policies that encourage methane capture—through tax incentives, permitting ease, or carbon credit schemes—we accelerate adoption of solutions like LOOP. Meanwhile, everyday folks can:
- Advocate for local infrastructure to convert landfill gas.
- Support green manufacturing that uses graphene to reduce resource intensity.
- Stay informed on climate tech progress, offering feedback to policymakers.
Final Takeaways
For decades, methane has overshadowed climate debates, overshadowed by the more common CO2. But methane cuts are among the fastest ways to slow warming. Levidian’s technology stands at the crossroads of necessity and opportunity—not burying carbon, but turning it into material wealth.
As the world intensifies efforts to hit net-zero targets, solutions that unify financial performance with carbon reductions become indispensable. The biggest revelation? Addressing climate change needn’t come at the expense of profit. By letting the LOOP system do its magic, industries can ditch the false choice between economic viability and ecological responsibility.
We can eat our cake—or better, harness our methane—and have it too.
Stay Engaged: Follow local waste or sewage treatment projects—ask if they’re considering methane pyrolysis.
Support: Invest or advocate for government incentives that accelerate adopting carbon-to-value tech.
Educate: Share success stories—like Levidian’s partnerships with United Utilities or Tadweer—to show that climate solutions can be profitable.
Because solving climate challenges isn’t just about cutting corners; it’s about inventing new possibilities—and turning polluting methane into gold certainly fits the bill.