Image source : https://emvolon.com/
Methane emissions pour out from landfills, farms, and fossil fuel operations. With a staggering global warming potential roughly 84 times greater than CO₂ over 20 years, methane isn’t just a threat, it’s a ticking climate bomb. According to the International Energy Agency, human activities pump out over 570 million tonnes of this potent greenhouse gas annually, making rapid and innovative mitigation strategies more critical than ever
Enter Emvolon, an MIT spin-off founded in 2021, that employs an innovative approach to tackling methane emissions – they repurpose internal combustion engines into modular, cost-effective chemical plants capable of converting methane into valuable products such as green methanol and ammonia. By deploying these units directly at emission sites, the company eliminates the need for extensive infrastructure, making the process both scalable and economically viable. This technology not only mitigates harmful emissions but also produces carbon-negative fuels and other essential chemicals essential for industrial use. Another game changing advantage for Emvolon is that it believes it will be able to produce green methanol from industrial flaring at close to the same cost as fossil methanol.
The company was co-founded by Dr. Emmanuel Kasseris, who serves as CEO, and Dr. Leslie Bromberg, the Chief Science Officer. Dr. Kasseris brings over two decades of experience in managing advanced energy technology projects, having previously led initiatives at Chevron and ConocoPhillips. He holds both a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. Dr. Bromberg has an extensive background in energy conversion and chemical processes, with a track record of licensing over 90 patents and founding multiple successful startups. He earned his B.Sc in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from MIT.
In May 2021,. By November 2024, the company had raised a total of $10.5 million, with investments from notable backers including Dorian LPG, LDVP Partners, MassVentures, and Vista Energy.
Emvolon has already put its technology into the field thanks to a collaboration with Montauk Renewables to pilot the conversion of biogas into green methanol at a landfill site in Texas. This partnership exemplifies the practical application of Emvolon’s technology in transforming waste emissions into valuable resources.
Once the green methanol and ammonia are extracted, Emvolon plans to work with a global trading company to manage the offtake and distribution of the fuels to end users looking for green fuels. Emvolon is agnostic as to who the fuels go to but targeted industries are expected to include maritime, aviation, energy, waste management, and agriculture.
Emvolon’s technology represents a transformative solution for industries seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. By converting greenhouse gas emissions into carbon-negative fuels and chemicals, in some cases at a cost similar to fossil fuels, Emvolon not only addresses environmental concerns but also offers a scalable and economically viable pathway for industries to transition toward sustainable operations. This approach holds the potential to significantly impact the global effort to combat climate change.
Reference
Beyond zero carbon: Emvolon is producing carbon-negative fuels and chemicals today. (2024, March 4). About | EMVOLON. EMVOLON. https://emvolon.com/
Emvolon and Montauk Renewables, Inc. Announce Collaboration to Transform Methane Emissions into High-Value, Carbon-Negative Fuel | Montauk Renewables. (n.d.). Montauk Renewables. https://ir.montaukrenewables.com/news-releases/news-release-details/emvolon-and-montauk-renewables-inc-announce-collaboration?utm_
Čučuk, A. (2025, February 18). US technology company Emvolon comes onboard Methanol Institute. Offshore Energy. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/us-technology-company-emvolon-comes-onboard-methanol-institute/?utm_
Contributor : Ariana Tri Asti
Reviewer : Imam Buchari
Scorpa's Tech @ Sea 
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