ExxonMobil has unveiled an advanced hydrogen-powered burner at its Baytown Olefins plant, revolutionizing the chemical industry’s approach to decarbonization. This innovative burner, developed over four years, significantly reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by replacing traditional natural gas with hydrogen fuel.

Steam cracking, a process essential for producing olefins—key components in plastics, car parts, and medical equipment—traditionally relies on natural gas, which emits CO2 when burned. ExxonMobil’s hydrogen burner, however, emits only water vapor, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to conventional methods.

In its recent industrial-scale demonstration, the burner operated on a 98% hydrogen mixture, achieving the same production efficiency while dramatically cutting emissions. The technology is also designed to run on up to 100% hydrogen, offering a sustainable alternative for the hard-to-decarbonize chemical sector.

Looking ahead, ExxonMobil plans to expand this technology across more furnaces at the Baytown facility and is progressing with a project to construct a plant capable of producing up to one billion cubic feet of low-carbon hydrogen daily. The hydrogen produced will have minimal carbon intensity, with over 90% of CO2 emissions from production captured and stored.

“This breakthrough is a testament to our commitment to developing innovative solutions for reducing emissions,” said a spokesperson from ExxonMobil. “We hope this technology inspires broader adoption of hydrogen to decarbonize the chemical industry.”

As industries increasingly focus on sustainability, ExxonMobil’s hydrogen burners pave the way for cleaner manufacturing processes, potentially setting a new standard for reducing carbon footprints globally.