Haffner Energy's proprietary technology enables the production of “green” or even “super-green” hydrogen by converting residual biomass into syngas (synthesis gas) using thermolysis, a thermochemical process that converts biomass into gas using heat, followed by reforming to break long molecules into short ones. 

Hydrogen-rich at over 45%, this syngas is processed in a purification unit known as TEPC (Treatment Enrichment Purification Compression) to produce mobility-grade hydrogen.

Haffner Energy's technology is compatible with all types of solid organic feedstocks, including waste. The approach is to create value from residual biomass (in accordance with Annex IX of the European RED2 directive, soon to be replaced by the RED3 directive) that are free of conflicts of use, under-utilized, and collected within a radius of less than 100 km.

Hydrogen production from biomass has a neutral to negative carbon footprint. This is because it also produces biogenic carbon, which is obtained in gaseous form in the syngas, as well as in solid form with biocarbon, a syngas co-product composed of up to 90% carbon in elemental form. The latter can be used as a carbon sink in agricultural applications (it is then called “biochar”) or in industrial applications, notably as an ingredient in the production of building materials (“char”). It can also be shipped, gasified onsite, and used at e-SAF production plants.

Biogenic carbon is captured by plants from the air via photosynthesis and is returned to the atmosphere without affecting the carbon budget; we may even think of the carbon cycle in the same way as we describe the water cycle. Biogenic carbon is essential to the energy transition, as it is a key element in the production of clean fuels, including SAF, and renewable gas, all of which are substitutes for fossil fuels currently used in applications unsuited to electrification, such as air and sea transport and freight, and industry.