Synhelion spun out of ETH Zurich in 2016 and is developing a solar-driven process that generates process heat above 1,500°C to produce syngas (a blend of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and CO2). Its core product is a solar-powered syngas production platform intended to replace or be blended with fossil-derived fuels in existing industrial machinery, enabling decarbonisation of heavy industries such as cement. The company claims a breakthrough powering a CEMEX clinker rotary kiln with solar energy, reaching temperatures of almost 1,500°C. Synhelion is scaling via a Germany-located pilot facility whose construction began in September and is expected to start making syngas in 2023, followed by ~24 months of testing. Its first commercial-grade facility is under development in Spain with a planned 2025 launch. Financially, Synhelion has secured 22 million Swiss francs (about $23.7M) in the latest raise and had previously raised roughly $22M; it has attracted strategic corporate support from energy and industrial players.

Total raised

$24M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Dec 2022