Reducing Emissions in Nebraska
Carbon black is a common material used in many applications, such as tires, plastics, adhesives, printing ink and smartphone batteries. It’s normally produced in a process involving crude oil or coal tar, but Monolith Materials has developed a process to produce carbon black using natural gas as a feedstock. Not only does this reduce emissions, but it also yields a co-product of clean burning hydrogen.
Along with making Nebraska their new manufacturing HQ, Monolith Materials has partnered with NPPD to replace an existing coal-fired boiler with a hydrogen-fired boiler at the Sheldon Station plant in Hallam. This replacement is expected to result in a reduction in greenhouse gases and other emissions from the plant.
"Our partnership with Monolith Materials is a unique combination of innovation, environmental sustainability, and economic development for the area and the state," said NPPD CEO Pat Pope. "…NPPD has the opportunity to have 50 percent of our energy resources to be carbon-free in the future. We look forward to our continued working relationship with Monolith Materials."
"Monolith is thrilled to support the growth and strength of American manufacturing, clean technology and job growth right here in America's heartland," said Monolith co-founder Bill Brady. "We chose this location because of Nebraska's exceptional infrastructure and highly skilled workforce, and look forward to building a great company here."
To read about another new manufacturing facility, check out Industry 4.0 Brings Borgward Back to Bremen.