Clariant catalyst to feature in largest electric SMR project to date

10 MW unit to produce 150 tons of syngas daily

Click to learn more. Clariant will provide catalysts the SYPOX for a new electrified SMR project, producing 150 tons per day of syngas. Source: Clariant.

Catalyst specialist Clariant will manufacture and deliver industrial catalysts to German engineering startup SYPOX for a new electric steam methane reformer (eSMR) project, which will begin producing 150 tons per day of syngas from 2026. The 10 MW unit will be fed with renewable electricity, producing syngas for a to-be-named German customer.

We are delighted to partner with SYPOX to optimize and manufacture the high-performance catalyst for the first 10 MW e-SMR plant. SYPOX technology revolutionizes the reforming process and supports syngas production. This system is expected to be both the largest of its kind–and the first in commercial operation.

Xaver Karsunke, Vice President Specialties at Clariant Catalysts, in his organisation’s official press release, 9 Sept 2025

Conventional SMR typically relies on fossil gas combustion outside reactor tubes, resulting in energy-intensive operations and high CO2 emissions that cannot easily be captured. In contrast, SYPOX reformers directly electrify the chemical conversion inside the reactor, creating a system “almost two orders of magnitude more compact”. Clariant reports that its “Custom Catalyst Manufacturing delivers optimized catalysts, reducing emissions by up to 40%”.

For a scale comparison, a million-plus tons per year ammonia production facility would consume upwards of 5,000 tons of syngas per day: more than an order of magnitude different from the scale of the 10 MW Clariant/SYPOX project.