CBR: Could you share your journey in environmental technologies?
Jean-Louis: My journey began in Japan in the late 1980s as a technology sourcing consultant. Tokyo’s severe pollution in the 1970s led to significant advancements in environmental solutions, sparking my interest in clean tech. In 1999, I started a project with a Japanese company to convert waste into hydrogen, aligning with early explorations by Toyota and BMW. Each energy crisis since has emphasized the need for such innovations, motivating me to tackle waste management and renewable energy challenges.
CBR: May you describe the key sustainability benefits of waste-to-hydrogen solutions?
Jean-Louis: It’s crucial to emphasize the global waste management crisis. About two billion tons of waste annually end up in landfills, with most poorly managed. These landfills emit methane, a greenhouse gas far more harmful than CO2, and pollute underground water sources. Waste is a resource—metals, glass, and organic matter can all be recycled or used for energy.
CBR: You mentioned that recycling efforts are often inefficient. How does your technology in Oman overcome these challenges?
Jean-Louis: Indeed, traditional recycling methods face significant hurdles. For example, only 15% of the 300 million tons of plastic produced annually are recycled. Even in countries with advanced recycling systems, like France and the US, most plastics need to be recycled effectively. Our technology, developed with extensive experience and patent applications, is based on principles of thermochemical conversion. It heats waste to high temperatures in a neutral atmosphere, breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones and producing a clean gas, a mix of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This process does not require the separation of different materials or the cleaning of containers, making it highly efficient. The resulting hydrogen is carbon-negative, capturing and sequestering CO2 naturally.
CBR: Given the significant capital required for such transitions, what is your strategy for attracting regional investment and partnerships?
Jean-Louis: The hydrogen economy is rising, and substantial investments are essential. Initiatives like the Biden administration’s IRA and hydrogen hubs in the US and similar policies in Europe highlight this need. Here in Oman, we are collaborating with MANA Manah Hydrogen to develop hydrogen production, storage, and utilization infrastructure.
Opportunities for investors are vast, spanning from infrastructure development to creating demand for hydrogen. We’re not just producing hydrogen; we’re building an entire value chain, from waste processing to hydrogen deployment. This offers multiple entry points for stakeholders and significant potential for growth, mirroring the exponential growth seen in the solar and electric vehicle industries.
CBR: Can you elaborate on why such advanced technology is less widely implemented in other Western countries?
Jean-Louis: Our technology, though pioneering, is being developed and tested in collaboration with global partners like Spain’s Técnicas Reunidas. The challenge in Western countries often lies in existing infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, which can be slow to adapt. In Oman, we have the unique opportunity to implement these advanced solutions without the constraints of pre-existing outdated systems or infrastructures.
The thermochemical conversion process we use is specifically designed for heterogeneous feedstock, making it versatile and highly effective. By heating waste to break down complex molecules, we produce hydrogen and capture CO2 efficiently, creating a carbon-negative process. This approach is crucial for addressing both waste management and renewable energy production crises.
CBR: This technology seems poised to revolutionize the industry. What future opportunities do you see in the waste and hydrogen space, particularly in contributing to a sustainable future?
Jean-Louis: Looking ahead, I envision a significant shift in the global economy towards renewable fuels and electricity. Our waste-to-hydrogen model offers a scalable, circular economy solution, turning waste into a resource for energy production. Implementing this in Oman allows us to create models that can be replicated globally.
The transition to hydrogen involves building new infrastructure and creating demand, which presents extensive opportunities for investment. We’re laying the groundwork for a hydrogen economy, which will drive growth in both waste management and renewable energy sectors. It’s a dual benefit—addressing waste and energy challenges simultaneously, leading to a sustainable future.
