First methane pyrolysis plant in Zug inaugurated
Andreas Bittig • 28. November 2025
Switzerland as a hub of innovation:
Milestone in the decarbonisation of industry -
VZDI and its partners inaugurated a unique methane pyrolysis plant on the V-ZUG production site.
The Association for the Decarbonization of Industry (VzDI) and its partners inaugurated a unique methane pyrolysis plant on the V-ZUG production site.
The innovative plant is the result of a visionary collaboration between 16 leading companies and Empa, with the assistance of the Canton of Zug.
Realised with an investment of over CHF 8 m in recent years, it marks a significant step towards achieving Swiss industry’s net-zero targets by 2050.
Background and technology Methane pyrolysis is an innovative technology in which methane (CH4) is broken down in a plasma. This produces hydrogen (H2) and solid carbon (C) allowing methane to be used for energy purposes without the CO2 entering the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. The carbon produced, on the other hand, can be reused as a valuable raw material in construction and agriculture. The industrial pilot plant is set to save around 240 tonnes of CO2 per year and will deliver up to 10 kg of hydrogen per hour with a purity of 95-99%. The hydrogen from this pilot plant will be used directly as a climatefriendly energy source in V-ZUG’s enamelling furnace, replacing fossil natural gas.
This will enable V-ZUG to gradually decarbonise the enamelling plant, the last remaining CO2 emitter in its industrial processes. Around 66 tonnes of
solid carbon will also be produced annually. This will be tested and used in ongoing investigations as a building material for concrete or asphalt and as a soil conditioner.
Project partners and funding
The project was initiated and coordinated by the VzDI. Key partners include Empa, a scientific institution, the companies Accelleron, AVAG, amag, Holcim, Metall Zug, Partners Group, Sakowin, SHL Medical, Siemens, Sika, Sulzer, Swiss Safety Center, Tech Cluster Zug, V-ZUG, VZ Depotbank and WWZ, and the Canton of Zug, which is providing political backing. The partners are contributing both technical expertise and financial resources to the push for sustainable change in Swiss industry.
“This innovation enables V-ZUG to drive the sustainable development of industrial processes and set new standards for emission-free production,” says Adrian Theiler, Chief Operations Officer at V-ZUG. “We are making targeted investments to make processes not only more efficient, but also more environmentally friendly.”
Sustainability and outlook
The methane pyrolysis plant lies at the heart of the Association’s comprehensive strategy to create a circular and wastefree ecosystem for the emission-free use of methane (natural gas). The long-term goal is to use synthetic methane, consisting of renewable hydrogen and carbon from CO2 already emitted, for the production of hydrogen in the future.
This next step should enable negative emissions and thus strengthen the contribution to tackling climate change. Cooperation projects aimed at building an economically selfsustaining global ecosystem that contributes to the decarbonisation of industry are also being developed thanks to the close collaboration between stakeholders from science, industry and politics.
“The project shows how research, industry and the public sector can work together to achieve real progress in the climate strategy,” adds Andreas Bittig, Head of Office at the VzDI.
Information
Andreas Bittig
Verein zur Dekarbonisierung der Industrie (VZDI)
info@vzdi.ch
Telefon +41 79 369 22 22
Christian Bach
Empa, Chemische Energieträger und Fahrzeugsysteme
Telefon +41 58 765 41 37
christian.bach@empa.ch
Media
Marlène Betschart
Sulzer
marlene.betschart@sulzer.com
Tel. +41 79 245 24 10
Annina Schneider
Empa, Kommunikation
Tel. +41 58 765 41 07
redaktion@empa.ch
Contact
Empa Kommunikation
redaktion@empa.ch
Editor
Eidg. Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt
