Japanese Eneos, will start producing methylcyclohexane (MCH), a liquid hydrogen carrier, in Brisbane next month.

MCH is primarily made by mixing toluene, an organic chemical molecule, with hydrogen that has been kept in tanks and synthesizing machinery. Eneos is creating an electrolyzer that converts MCH from toluene and water in a single step. When the MCH gets to its target, hydrogen is taken out of it. By 2026, Eneos intends to start producing hydrogen in large quantities.

Only one small liquefied hydrogen ship, the Susio Frontier, is now in service since hydrogen must still be kept at minus 253 degrees Celsius. This expensive technique has limited shipping options.

Vopak, a Dutch oil and chemical storage company, said earlier this month that it would collaborate with Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies to create a joint venture company for the storage, transportation, and delivery of hydrogen using traditional liquid-fuel infrastructure, much like Eneos.

The joint company, LOHC Logistix, with headquarters in Germany, will utilise Hydrogenious’ liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology, which is based on thermal oil benzyl toluene, which can be handled like a fossil liquid fuel in current tankers at ambient pressure and temperature.