Aurora Hydrogen secures investment for LNG-to-hydrogen technology

Canada-based clean technology firm Aurora Hydrogen has secured a $3 million investment from Oldendorff Overseas Investments (OOI) to accelerate deployment of its LNG-to-hydrogen technology for marine applications.

IMAGE: Aurora Hydrogen’s LNG-to-hydrogen conversion system. Aurora Hydrogen

The agreement also includes a long-term commitment from OOI to procure Aurora’s units, supporting decarbonisation efforts across the shipping and logistics operations of German shipowner Reederei NORD. OOI is the company’s investment platform.

Aurora’s system is built on a modular, scalable process using microwave-driven methane pyrolysis to convert LNG into hydrogen, producing solid carbon as a by-product. This approach removes the need for carbon capture or storage while significantly lowering carbon intensity compared with conventional hydrogen production routes. The process involves heating methane in the absence of oxygen to yield hydrogen and solid carbon, thereby avoiding CO2 emissions.

Designed for flexibility, the technology can be installed directly onboard vessels as well as at ports, industrial sites and logistics hubs. Aurora claims achieving over 85% LNG-to-hydrogen conversion across multiple operating runs, alongside progressively longer operating durations.

The company is currently developing a demonstration facility for continuous hydrogen production, targeting commercial operations by 2027.

“Aurora’s microwave methane pyrolysis offers one of the cheapest paths to cleaner and affordable hydrogen – an important step toward achieving the maritime industry’s climate objectives,” said Nikolaus Oldendorff of OOI.

By Tuhin Roy

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