What Graforce Hydro does

Graforce GmbH is a Berlin-based deep-technology company founded in 2012 by Dr. Jens Hanke that develops modular plasma electrolysis systems — branded Plasmalyzer® — for producing hydrogen and solid carbon from hydrocarbons, ammonia, and wastewater without CO2 emissions. The proprietary technology uses high-voltage DC plasma (including HF discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, and coronally influenced low-frequency discharge) to dissociate methane and other feedstocks at 1,300-1,600°C, achieving a 98% methane conversion rate at an energy input of approximately 10-15 kWh per kg of hydrogen, roughly one-fifth the energy requirement of water electrolysis. The portfolio includes the Methane Plasmalyzer, Wastewater Plasmalyzer, Ammonia Plasma Cracker, Syngas Plasmalyzer, and supporting H2/CNG refueling and gas separation equipment; the systems are built as standardized 0.5 MW modules that can be linearly combined into multi-MW containerized or skid-mounted plants, with a flagship 20 MW configuration (40 modules) producing approximately 2 tonnes of hydrogen and 6 tonnes of high-purity solid carbon per hour at a CAPEX of roughly €66 million.

The company monetizes across four streams: project-based hardware sales of plants and modules, licensing royalties for regional partners, sales of hydrogen and solid carbon byproducts (with solid carbon priced at €450-500/t and hydrogen at a target €2.35/kg), and project-specific feasibility studies together with used equipment resale. Graforce targets industrial energy, steel/cement/lime, real estate and district heating, mobility and SAF, agriculture/biogas, and waste/recycling verticals, selling through direct enterprise field sales in DACH and through international licensing and EPC partnerships — notably Worley (APAC), NEUMAN & ESSER (integrated plant solutions), Sanepar (Brazil), PLANTEC (Japan), Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe (CHP), GASNET, and Bürkert (process valves). A first commercial-scale demonstration plant has been operating in Kremsmünster, Austria since summer 2023 in partnership with RAG Austria AG, and the company closed a double-digit million-euro financing round in February 2026 led by Paris-based Calderion to support industrial scale-up and global expansion.

Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees across physics, electrical, mechanical, and process engineering disciplines, anchored by a headquarters in Berlin-Adlershof and a second site in Austria. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the company is at an early-commercial stage, with five patents underpinning the core plasma procedures and awards including the 2020 Innovation Prize of the German Gas Industry, the 2023 Petronas Race2Decarbonise, and a 2024 Top Innovators in Hydrogen recognition from Darcy Insights.

Name

Graforce Hydro

Legal name

Graforce GmbH

Website

https://graforce.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Graforce GmbH builds modular plasma electrolysis systems (Plasmalyzer®) that convert methane, biogas, ammonia, and wastewater into low-carbon hydrogen and high-purity solid carbon, selling plants, licensing, and feasibility services to industrial energy, steel, district heating, and water utility customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Hydrogen Production Equipment

NAICS

Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)

SIC

Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

High-Temperature Process Heat Electrification (E-Boilers, E-Furnaces, Induction, Plasma) (EUABAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Thermal Treatment (Pyrolysis, Gasification, Plasma) for Residual Waste (EUAIACAI)

Keywords

• Plasma electrolysis systems
• Hydrogen production technology
• Methane pyrolysis reactors
• Carbon capture solutions
• Clean energy equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Modular Plasma Pyrolysis Plant Sales: Sale of modular 0.5 MW Plasmalyzer® systems and multi-MW plant configurations (10 MW, 20 MW) to industrial clients. Each 0.5 MW unit costs approximately €1.2 million. Plants include plasma reactors, carbon separators, compressors, heat exchangers, and control systems. Revenue is project-based with long sales cycles involving detailed business case development, engineering integration, and installation. CAPEX for a 20 MW plant totals approximately €66 million including infrastructure.
2. Licensing Royalties: Graforce operates a licensing model for regional markets, facilitating scalability and adaptation to local market requirements. The company licenses its technology to regional partners who deploy and operate Plasmalyzer® plants. This enables international expansion with lower capital outlay and supports the rollout of the technology across APAC, Europe, and other regions through partners like Worley, NEUMAN & ESSER, and others.
3. Hydrogen and Solid Carbon Sales: Plants produce hydrogen (sold at ~€2.35/kg target price) and solid carbon byproduct (sold at ~€450-500/t). A 20 MW plant operating 6,000 hours/year produces 12,000 tonnes of CO2-free hydrogen annually and generates ~36,000 tonnes of solid carbon. Carbon revenue offsets hydrogen production costs significantly. When biomethane is used, the process achieves negative carbon intensity, potentially generating carbon removal credits.
4. Feasibility and Experimental Studies: Graforce conducts feasibility studies and experimental studies for customers, priced individually based on scope. These studies assess integration of plasmalysis technology into specific industrial contexts. Pricing for exceptional pre-performance (orders over €50,000) may require up to 50% advance payment.
5. Used Equipment and Components: Sale of used research and development equipment including ammonia plasma cracker container (€90,000), containerized hydrogen and CNG filling station (€98,900), mobile hydrogen/CNG filling station (€9,900), hydrogen plasma torch (up to €5,000), reactor vessels (€2,500-9,900), RF generators (from €3,000), gas analyzers (€8,000), blowers (€9,000), screw conveyors (€2,000), control cabinets (€4,500), hydrogen cylinder tanks (€2,000), and particle filters (price on request).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Graforce develops and manufactures modular plasma electrolysis systems (Plasmalyzer®) that convert methane, biogas, ammonia, and wastewater into hydrogen and solid carbon using proprietary high-voltage plasma technology. The systems operate without CO2 emissions and are sold as 0.5 MW modular units scalable to multi-MW industrial plants for hydrogen production, syngas generation, and CO2 removal applications.

Product overview

Graforce Hydro offers a modular portfolio of plasma electrolysis systems (Plasmalyzers®) for producing hydrogen and synthetic gases from various feedstocks. The core product line includes the Methane Plasmalyzer® (turquoise/green hydrogen from natural gas or biogas at 10 kWh/kg H2), Wastewater Plasmalyzer® (hydrogen from industrial wastewater at 20 kWh/kg H2), Ammonia Plasma Cracker (hydrogen from ammonia at 8.0-8.5 kWh/kg H2), and Syngas Plasmalyzer® (syngas from CH4+CO2 mixture). Supporting products include H2/natural gas refueling systems, synthetic carbon (high-purity carbon byproduct at €500/ton), and gas separation/compression equipment. The systems are built as 0.5 MW modular units that can be scaled to multi-MW plants (e.g., 20 MW plant with 40 modules producing 2 tons H2/hour). The technology uses patented corona discharge plasma with 98% methane conversion rate, operates at 1300-1500°C, and produces solid carbon as a valuable byproduct rather than CO2 emissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Plasmalyzer: Plasma electrolysis systems (Plasmalyzers) that produce CO2-free hydrogen and synthetic industrial gases from various feedstocks including methane, wastewater, biogas, and ammonia.
• Methane Plasmalyzer
• Ammonia Plasma Cracker
• Syngas Plasmalyzer
• Synthetic Carbon

Products and services

• Methane Plasmalyzer® Core plasma electrolysis system that splits methane (from natural gas, biogas, or biomethane) into hydrogen and solid carbon using high-voltage plasma at 1300-1600°C. Produces 50 kg H2 and 150 kg solid carbon per hour per 0.5 MW module with 98% methane conversion rate and 10-15 kWh/kg H2 energy consumption. For industrial energy operators, gas utilities, and chemical/steel producers.
• Wastewater Plasmalyzer® Plasma electrolysis system that produces green hydrogen from industrial process/wastewater containing nitrogen and hydrocarbon compounds (urea, amino acids, nitrates, ammonium). Power consumption of 20 kWh/kg H2. For water utilities, wastewater treatment operators, and agricultural operations with slurry/manure waste streams.
• Ammonia Plasma Cracker Containerized ammonia cracking system using Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma technology. Splits ammonia (NH3) into hydrogen (99.5% purity) and nitrogen (N2) with electricity consumption of 8.0-8.5 kWh per kg of hydrogen. Modular 1 MW units scalable in parallel. For industrial hydrogen importers, shipping companies, and chemical operators using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier.
• Syngas Plasmalyzer® Syngas production system using high-frequency, high-voltage plasma reactor. Converts 50:50 mixture of CH4 and CO2 into syngas (~14 kg CO and 1 kg H2 per 15 kg feed) at over 1500°C. H2:CO ratio adjustable by blending with pure hydrogen from methane plasmalysis reactor. For SAF/e-fuel producers, refineries, and chemical operators.
• H2/Natural Gas Refueling System Combined hydrogen and natural gas refueling station enabling mixing of gases in different ratios. Produces synthetic e-gas/HCNG for natural gas vehicles, CHPs, and gas turbines. Supports Power2X system integration. For fleet operators, transport companies, and district heating operators.
• Synthetic Carbon (Carbon Black) High-purity carbon (99.9%) byproduct from methane plasma pyrolysis. Available at €450-500/ton. Applications include construction materials (concrete, asphalt), steel metallurgy, battery materials, TiO2 pigment production, soil enhancement, and wastewater treatment. Qualifies as Carbon Dioxide Removal under EU CRCF framework.
• Gas Separation/Compression/Tank Plants and Used Components Modular systems and used components for gas separation, compression, and refueling. Includes ammonia plasma cracker container (€90,000), containerized hydrogen/CNG filling station (€98,900), mobile hydrogen/CNG filling station (€9,900), hydrogen plasma torch (up to €5,000), reactor vessels (€2,500-9,900), RF generators (from €3,000), and related balance-of-plant equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hydrogen production cost of €1.80/kg from natural gas/biogas vs €6-8/kg for conventional electrolysis
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NEUMAN & ESSERcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026German industrial machinery company providing expertise in gas compression, carbon processing, and plant integration. Announced integrated solution with Graforce for low-carbon hydrogen production (PRC Europe 2026, Amsterdam) and SAF production via direct plasma syngas route (European Biofuels & SAF Summit 2026, Madrid). NEUMAN & ESSER supplies hydrogen compression, carbon handling, and gas treatment systems.
• PLANTEC CO., LTD.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 November 2024Japanese technology company. Signed Memorandum of Understanding with Graforce on November 19, 2024 for a strategic partnership focused on deploying methane plasma pyrolysis technology, potentially in the Asian market.
• Sanepar (Companhia de Saneamento do Paraná)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2024Brazilian water and wastewater utility serving the state of Paraná. Partnership established April 2024 to deploy methane pyrolysis as hydrogen and CDR (Carbon Dioxide Removal) technology in Brazil. Sanepar provides access to biogas from wastewater treatment and industrial site for plant deployment.
• GASNETmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2024Partnership announced April 2024 to advance decarbonization pathways using Graforce's plasma pyrolysis technology in gas distribution and industrial applications.
• RAG Austria AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2023Austria's largest natural gas storage company. Built and operates Graforce's first industrial methane plasmalysis demonstration plant in Kremsmünster, Austria (0.5 MW, 3x200 kW modules). Partnership covers system optimization and industrial integration. RAG provides site, gas infrastructure, and operational expertise. Plant has been in commercial operation since summer 2023.
• WorleycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 May 2023Global engineering and project execution leader. Partnership aims to introduce methane electrolysis (plasmalysis) technology in Australia, Pacific, Asia, and China. Worley provides EPC capabilities, project management, and local market knowledge to support Graforce's APAC regional expansion through its licensing model.
• Kawasaki Gas Turbine EuropemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2023Partnership for CO2-free solutions in combined heat and power (CHP) generation. Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe integrates Graforce's hydrogen production technology with gas turbine systems for industrial decarbonization.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• C-Zero: US-based clean energy startup developing methane pyrolysis for low-carbon hydrogen. Directly competes with Graforce on the same end-market and feedstock, targeting industrial H2 demand at lower cost than electrolysis.
• Monolith Materials: US-based producer of carbon black and hydrogen via methane pyrolysis. Most directly comparable to Graforce: same core chemistry (CH4 → H2 + solid C), same dual-revenue structure (hydrogen + solid carbon), but uses a different plasma-free thermal process at much larger scale.
• Hazer Group: ASX-listed Australian company operating an iron-catalyst methane pyrolysis process (the Hazer Process) to produce hydrogen and graphitic carbon. Closest publicly listed direct peer to Graforce on the methane-to-hydrogen + solid-carbon value proposition.

Emerging players

• Sunfire: Dresden-based company manufacturing SOEC electrolyzers and Power-to-Liquid fuels. Comparable as a clean-tech scale-up selling hydrogen and e-fuel production systems into industrial decarbonization, although Sunfire uses high-temperature steam electrolysis rather than plasma.
• McPhy Energy: France-based electrolyzer manufacturer (alkaline and PEM) serving industrial, mobility, and energy applications. Comparable as a Europe-focused scale-up competing for the same industrial H2 customers Graforce targets.
• thyssenkrupp nucera: German-listed electrolyzer specialist (alkaline water electrolysis) spun out of thyssenkrupp. Competes with Graforce for green hydrogen projects in steel, chemicals, and refining across DACH.

Broad incumbents

• Nel ASA: Norwegian-listed electrolyzer manufacturer and hydrogen station builder. Competes with Graforce for the same industrial hydrogen buyer wallet, offering PEM and alkaline electrolyzers across the full H2 value chain.
• ITM Power: UK-listed PEM electrolyzer manufacturer. Targets identical end-uses (industrial H2, refueling, power-to-gas) and competes for the same EU/UK industrial decarbonization budget pool as Graforce.
• Plug Power: US-listed integrated hydrogen company producing PEM electrolyzers, fuel cells, and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Competes with Graforce in industrial hydrogen production and mobility fuel applications.
• BASF: Global chemical major actively developing methane pyrolysis technologies. Comparable at the application level (industrial H2, decarbonization of high-temperature processes) and brings the balance-sheet and integration scale that Graforce currently lacks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/graforce-hydro-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Graforce Hydro