To bundle interdisciplinary research from lab to pilot scale — from low-emission hydrogen production and storage to circular carbon applications — accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral industry.
About
Since 2020, Montanuniversität Leoben has bundled interdisciplinary research in the strategic core research area SCoRe A⁺ Hydrogen and Carbon, connecting around 150 researchers from 26 organisational units across the full value chain.
Strategy
Around 150 researchers from 26 organisational units work along the full value chain — from low-emission production and storage to transport, industrial use and circular carbon applications.
The network is strengthened through close partnerships with industry and research institutions, increasing national and international visibility while accelerating practical, scalable solutions.
SCoRe A⁺ is designed as an implementation-oriented platform: scientific excellence, pilot-scale validation and real-world application pathways are developed together to support climate-neutral industry.
Hydrogen pathway
Carbon co-product
Why hydrogen and carbon together
Research Focus
From low-emission hydrogen production to high-value circular carbon use, every research stream connects to the others — supported by an outdoor education programme that brings the science to society.
Core Technology
Splitting CH₄ into clean hydrogen and solid carbon without direct CO₂ — the central process innovation connecting all four research streams.
Hydrogen Storage & Transport
Research covering the full spectrum from high-pressure vessel materials to underground storage and pipeline conversion.
Carbon Applications
Solid carbon from methane pyrolysis is treated as a high-value product, not waste — engineered for multiple end-use sectors.
Education & Outreach
Key Metrics
Research scale, infrastructure capacity and education impact at Montanuniversität Leoben.
Researchers
120+
Active scientists working across the SCoRe A⁺ Hydrogen and Carbon network.
Chairs
26
Organisational units of Montanuniversität Leoben contributing to the programme.
Focus Areas
4
Research streams from low-emission production to circular carbon applications.
Investments
EUR 28M
Cumulative project-related funding committed to the programme.
Research Centre
750 m²
New pilot-scale infrastructure in Leoben-Leitendorf opened in autumn 2024.
PhD Projects
25
Fully self-funded dissertations launched by Montanuniversität Leoben since 2021.
MOSA outdoor area
1 600 m²
Teaching and learning environment for hands-on outdoor science activities.
Plants at MOSA
1 600
Climate-resilient species planted within the MOSA living-lab site.
Pupils trained
180+
School learners reached through MOSA activities since April 2025.
Field experiment
400 m²
Active soil and carbon trial running continuously since 2022.
Research range
0 K1600 °C
From cryogenic hydrogen storage to high-temperature methane pyrolysis.
Value cycle
Full chain
Production, storage, transport, industrial use and recycling combined.
Cooperation with significant industry partners
Long-term partnerships with Austrian and international companies across the value chain.
Regular collaborative events
Recurring formats that connect academia, industry and society throughout the year.
Test plot at MOSA property
Living-lab area for hands-on validation of circular carbon and soil concepts.
Methane Pyrolysis
Hydrogen is an essential element of the future green energy supply scenario with reduced CO₂ emissions. Carbon contributes to resilient agriculture and sustainable building materials.
Methane pyrolysis can be used to convert natural gas almost emission-free into hydrogen and carbon — no direct CO₂ is generated during the reaction.
of global energy demand is currently met by fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).
emissions are the main cause of global warming due to the anthropogenic greenhouse effect.
Decarbonisation of fossil fuels can make a significant contribution to a stable, sustainable energy supply while reducing CO₂ emissions.
Step 1 — Input
Natural gas (CH₄) is supplied as feedstock. Regenerative energy drives the process, enabling a low-carbon energy input for the reaction.
Step 2 — Reaction
Methane pyrolysis converts natural gas almost emission-free into hydrogen (H₂) and solid carbon (C). No direct CO₂ is produced during the reaction.
Step 3 — Output
Hydrogen is used in mobility, homes, agriculture and industry. Solid carbon finds applications in soil enhancement, polymers, building materials, pigments and electronics.
Source: https://gas-h2.de/; adapted
Why Methane Pyrolysis
The thermal decomposition of methane (methane pyrolysis or methane electrolysis) involves splitting CH₄ into gaseous hydrogen and solid carbon.
With the same energy input, pyrolysis can produce around four to five times the amount of hydrogen compared to water electrolysis.
Considering the entire production chain, the CO₂ footprint of both production routes using renewable energy is comparable, approx. 2-3 kg CO₂ / kg H₂.
Different carbon modifications are achievable depending on process and process parameters (graphite, graphene, carbon black, carbon tubes).
Carbon represents a valuable second product from an economic and ecological point of view with a wide range of applications.
Carbon Applications
Solid carbon from methane pyrolysis is engineered for circular use across agriculture, construction and industry — keeping carbon in the material loop instead of releasing it to the atmosphere.
The use of carbon in agriculture has enormous potential to positively influence soils in the context of global climate change. Storing carbon in the soil leads to enhanced soil properties.
The advantages are:
Carbon can also be used as a fertiliser by mixing it with organic residues such as liquid manure, compost and dung or by activating it with soil/microorganisms.
The annual global production of cement, the most important construction raw material, is around 2 – 4 billion tonnes. The possibility of substituting around 10% of cement with carbon from pyrolysis can be utilised without impairing the properties of the concrete.
Advantages are:
Carbon from pyrolysis (with the strongest possible ordered graphite structure) can also be used as an additive for XPS boards to increase insulation performance (deflection of heat radiation by graphite) and as a raw material in asphalt production.
Carbon from pyrolysis can be used in many other sectors, in addition to agriculture and construction. These include:
