Australian clean energy company Hazer Group is moving forward with plans to develop a low-emission hydrogen and graphite production facility in Nagoya, Japan. The project will use methane pyrolysis technology and integrate with Chubu Electric Power Co.’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, in collaboration with Chiyoda Corp., a leading Japanese utility and engineering firm.

The planned facility is expected to produce approximately 2,500 metric tons of hydrogen annually and will be designed as a scalable platform, allowing for future expansion as hydrogen demand continues to rise. The initiative recently cleared a significant milestone with the completion of a pre-feasibility study by Chubu Electric and Chiyoda. The partners will now proceed with selecting a preferred site, as well as advancing initial design and engineering work.

Glenn Corrie, CEO and managing director of Hazer Group, emphasized Japan’s strategic importance in the global hydrogen market. He noted that while Japan has a well-established LNG infrastructure, it faces limitations in carbon capture and storage (CCS) capabilities. Corrie said Hazer’s methane pyrolysis technology offers a “low-cost and near-term solution for hard-to-abate sectors,” providing a practical path to decarbonization.

Last month, Hazer announced a global strategic alliance with engineering and technology firm KBR, aimed at accelerating the commercialization of its methane pyrolysis technology. In a recent presentation, the company described how it is “disrupting a large, established CO2-intensive market” by leveraging hydrogen as a core feedstock in ammonia and methanol production — a market estimated at around 54 million metric tons per year.

Hazer also highlighted the global hydrogen industry’s shift toward methane pyrolysis as an alternative to more expensive and energy-intensive green hydrogen solutions. Methane pyrolysis enables hydrogen production without emitting carbon dioxide. Instead, it yields a solid carbon byproduct, which has various commercial uses, including in materials, batteries and construction. When paired with CCS, this method can potentially deliver negative emissions, strengthening its appeal as a sustainable hydrogen solution.

The project in Nagoya marks a significant step for Hazer as it looks to position its technology in international markets, especially those with growing hydrogen ambitions and limited decarbonization infrastructure. The partnership with Chubu Electric and Chiyoda highlights the increasing global collaboration in the energy transition and underlines Japan’s commitment to diversifying its clean energy sources.

Hazer’s methane pyrolysis technology could play a key role in addressing both climate targets and industrial needs by offering a cleaner, economically viable hydrogen production method.