MCatalysis has closed a $5 million seed funding round to commercialize its next-generation chemical process for converting domestic offgas, plastics and biomass into drop-in fuels designed to work with existing energy infrastructure. The round was led by HL Energy Ventures and Oxford Science Enterprises. MCatalysis has also received a recent $2.25 million award from UK Research and Innovation.
MCatalysis is developing an alternative to conventional fuel refining and early synthetic fuel processes, which can require substantial energy inputs, extreme temperatures and complex multistage facilities.
Its technology instead uses proprietary microwave-driven catalysts that the company describes as smart materials capable of rearranging molecules to produce high-quality fuels without relying on petroleum extraction.
The resulting fuels are designed to be compatible with existing infrastructure, reducing the need for entirely new transportation, storage or distribution systems.
MCatalysis plans to use the seed proceeds to construct an industrial pilot facility at the Axel’One platform in Lyon, France, located within the Vallée de la Chimie chemical manufacturing hub.
The location will give the company access to established industrial infrastructure and chemical engineering talent, while its research and development operations will remain centered in London.
The company’s strategy centers on making lower-carbon fuels economically competitive without depending on subsidies or asking customers to pay a premium for switching energy sources.
KEY QUOTES:
“Cost is everything; businesses cannot switch energy sources if alternatives carry a premium. Our platform is engineered to make commercial fuel at costs required by today’s market. By winning on economics first, clean adoption becomes an automatic decision.”
Michael D. Irwin, CEO of MCatalysis
“MCatalysis innovatively provides its initial solution at the core of already existing fuels infrastructure, allowing it to provide low carbon fuels at low cost and without requiring government subsidies. We have been supporting MCatalysis since its very beginning, and will continue to support Michael and the MCatalysis team as they scale operations.”
Victor Liu, HL Energy Ventures
“Scalable transitions require superior unit economics. MCatalysis slashes fuel manufacturing costs, creating a compelling commercial model that delivers environmental sustainability as a natural result. We are delighted to support this breakthrough Oxford University research into global deployment.”
George Todd, Oxford Science Enterprises
