Analysis of the Hydrogen-Carbon Co-Production Technology Breakthrough by the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Based on the latest public information, I have compiled a detailed analysis report on the hydrogen-carbon co-production technology breakthrough by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Q1 2026.

---

According to a January 18, 2026 report from Chinanews, the team led by Yu Qingkai, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, CAS, and Chairman of Shanghai Hydrogen Field New Material Technology Co., Ltd., has made important progress in the field of natural gas cracking hydrogen-carbon co-production technology [1]. This technology has received support from the National Key R&D Program, becoming an important path for green hydrogen and carbon production [1].

The research team is focusing on addressing the continuous operation issue of cracking reactors,

[1]. This R&D effort is critical for achieving large-scale production, as continuous operation capability directly determines the feasibility and economic viability of industrialization.

The cracking technology developed by the team can

[1]. Compared with traditional high-pollution hydrogen and carbon production processes, the advantages of this technology include:

• Avoids greenhouse gas emissions
  : Achieves clean production from the source
• Green high-value utilization of methane resources
  : Converts natural gas into high-value-added products
• Cost and efficiency advantages
  : More competitive in distributed scenarios such as chemical industry and hydrogen refueling stations

• R&D Entity
  : Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, CAS
• Industrialization Platform
  : Shanghai Hydrogen Field New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (founded in 2021)
• Technology Directions
  : Natural gas cracking hydrogen-carbon co-production, graphene wafer preparation

Time	Milestone
2018	Researcher Yu Qingkai returned to China to engage in R&D in this field
2021	Shanghai Hydrogen Field New Material Technology Co., Ltd. was founded
Q1 2026	R&D on continuous operation technology of cracking reactors
2026 (Planned)	Demonstration application in Sichuan Province

According to the team’s market plan [1]:

• Natural gas production areas
  : Conduct large-scale production
• Chemical industry
  : Leverage the advantage of high hydrogen demand
• Hydrogen refueling stations
  : Promote national distributed hydrogen production

The team expects to

[1], and plans to [1].

Compared with traditional hydrogen production processes, the core competitive advantages of this technology are as follows:

Comparison Dimension	Traditional Processes	Hydrogen-Carbon Co-Production Technology
Pollution Emissions	High CO₂ emissions	Zero pollution
Product Structure	Single product	Co-production of hydrogen + graphite
Resource Utilization	One-time consumption	High-value utilization
Scenario Applicability	Large-scale centralized	Distributed scenarios

According to industry forecasts, in 2026, China’s green hydrogen production via water electrolysis will shift from policy-driven demonstration exploration to market-led commercialization, with

[3]. Hydrogen energy will become a core sector of energy transition [1].

Against the backdrop of the "Dual Carbon" strategy, the breakthrough in hydrogen-carbon co-production technology is significant for:

• Reducing carbon emissions
  : Avoids greenhouse gas emissions from traditional hydrogen production processes
• Optimizing energy structure
  : Provides a clean hydrogen source
• Industrial upgrading
  : Promotes green transformation in the new materials and chemical industries

Segment	Opportunities
Upstream	Natural gas raw material supply, reactor equipment manufacturing
Midstream	Hydrogen purification, graphite material processing
Downstream	Chemical applications, hydrogen refueling stations, energy storage

Sichuan Province, which is rich in natural gas resources,

[1], and is expected to become the preferred regional layout for the industrialization of this technology.

• The stability of continuous operation of cracking reactors still needs further verification
• Challenges in engineering scaling from laboratory to industrialization

• Intensified price competition in the green hydrogen market
• Long cultivation cycle for downstream application markets

• Expected phase-out of subsidy policies
• Standard system construction still needs improvement

The breakthrough in hydrogen-carbon co-production technology by the CAS team marks important progress in China’s green hydrogen production technology. Through its zero-pollution co-production model, this technology provides a new technical path for achieving the "Dual Carbon" goals. With continuous R&D progress and accelerated industrialization, it is expected to gradually achieve commercial application within the next two to three years, injecting new impetus into the development of China’s hydrogen energy industry.

---

[1] Chinanews - "Chinese Scientists Break Through Hydrogen-Carbon Co-Production Technology: Zero-Pollution Hydrogen Production Supports Energy Transition" (https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gn/2026/01-18/10554059.shtml)

[2] 36Kr - "Hydrogen Production from Seawater Electrolysis with Synchronous Magnesium Extraction: By-Product Revenue Expected to Surpass Hydrogen Itself" (https://eu.36kr.com/zh/p/3612570707641605)

[3] Zhuansushijie - "Catalysts: The Invisible Engine of Green Energy" (https://www.zhuansushijie.com/zixun/detail-dd093e94c41249958a5f33fa67f4b78f.html)