HYCO1 and UBE Corporation Break Ground on New EV Electrolyte Plant in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, February 24, 2025 – A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction for UBE Corporation’s new dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) plant near New Orleans, Louisiana. The facility, which will manufacture essential components for high-performance EV batteries, represents a significant advancement in sustainable battery material production.
Approximately 180 people attended the ceremony, including government officials, community members, and constructors. Representatives from UBE Corporation, including President Masato Izumihara, and officials from UBE C1 Chemicals America, Inc., which will operate the plant, were present. HYCO1, a leading provider of syngas production and carbon utilization technology, is a key partner in this project.
“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 technology was selected by UBE after extensive feasibility studies and engineering evaluations of various syngas supply options. HYCO1’s proprietary CUBE™ Technology is designed to enable the UBE plant to produce CO and H₂ gases more efficiently, with potential operational savings, and the ability to incorporate CO₂ as a feedstock to additionally lower its carbon footprint.
Key Benefits of HYCO1’s Technology:
- Operational Flexibility: HYCO1’s catalyst allows for the use of lower-cost CO₂ in place of natural gas, increasing the sustainability and efficiency of syngas production.
- Operational Efficiency: The catalyst reduces the energy needed to produce CO and H₂, using lower steam requirements than traditional catalysts. It also offers superior heat and mass transfer efficiency.
- Operational Robustness: HYCO1’s catalyst design mitigates traditional syngas catalyst failure points, resulting in superior operating ranges for temperature, pressure, and flow.
About UBE Corporation
UBE Corporation operates in the fields of chemistry and machinery, providing innovative solutions across various industries. The company, founded in 1897, has 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 a carbon utilization company that converts industrial CO2 emissions into sustainable products. Its CUBE™ Technology converts nearly 100% of CO2 in a single reactor pass, producing low-cost, low-carbon, high-grade syngas (H₂ and CO) at a commercial scale. For more information, please visit www.hyco1.com.
