H2Pro’s new technology, dubbed E-TAC (Electrochemical – Thermally Activated Chemical), splits hydrogen and oxygen from water independently through two separate phases: an electrochemical stage and thermally activated chemical stage. According to the official press release from ArcelorMittal, the E-TAC technology reaches greater than 95% energy efficiency, 25% more than electrolysis technology, at about half the investment and operational cost.

H2Pro estimates that its first commercial-scale project will produce hydrogen for less than US$2/kg by next year and for less than US$1/kg by 2030, ArcelorMittal said.

“Given H2Pro’s focus on developing a novel technology which aims to produce green hydrogen in an energy-efficient manner at competitive costs, it is a very welcome and natural addition to our XCarb innovation fund investment portfolio,” said ArcelorMittal’s chief technology officer Pinakin Chaubal. “Although at an early stage, E-TAC is a very exciting technology and we look forward to working with the H2Pro team as it seeks to move it into commercial production.”