Yesterday, the European Commission announced 47 Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) to strengthen Europe’s access to essential materials. We are proud to share that Hycamite’s innovative graphite production has been recognized as one of these projects.
What does this mean for Hycamite? Hycamite’s methane-splitting technology enables the low-carbon production of critical minerals exactly where they are needed. Unlike traditional mining operations, our process does not rely on specific geographical locations. It is scalable to meet market demands and can be set up anywhere globally, close to industrial end-users. This flexibility enhances supply security and supports Europe’s ambition to build resilient value chains for batteries, fuel cells, and other key technologies.
Being granted Strategic Project status brings advantages such as better access to EU funding through priority consideration in EU grant programs, a faster permitting process through a streamlined maximum approval timeline of 15 months for processing and potential national funding. A financing group will also help fast-track these capital-intensive initiatives, offering public guarantees from national banks, the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to attract private investment.
For Europe to fully leverage this opportunity, EU hydrogen regulations must evolve accordingly. The upcoming Low Carbon Hydrogen Delegated Act should recognize methane splitting as a key technology. Without methane splitting, Europe will struggle to secure the critical raw materials needed for its energy transition. By incorporating this process, the EU can not only advance clean hydrogen production but also ensure a stable domestic supply of strategic minerals like graphite.
As Europe works toward a cleaner and more self-sufficient future, Hycamite remains committed to providing low-emission, high-quality carbon products that support clean energy and innovation worldwide.
