H2 Upgrade recognised with Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies prize

H2 Upgrade, a University of Cambridge spin-out, has been named a winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2024 Emerging Technologies competition, after developing technology to convert industrial wastes into high-purity hydrogen.

H2 Upgrade is one of four winners to share a £100,000 prize pot and industry-leading support to commercialise their technology.

The competition showcases some of the most promising chemistry applications across four core categories - Environment, Energy, Health, and Enabling Technologies. H2 Upgrade’s win is in the Energy category for its technology which converts valueless industrial wastes into high-purity hydrogen, enabling the waste-producing companies to become hydrogen producers and consumers, while promoting the hydrogen economy and distributed manufacturing.

Stuart Scott, a professor of energy and thermodynamics at the University of Cambridge and co-founder of H2 Upgrade with Dr Ewa Marek and Abu Fasim, said: “The prize money is obviously a big help to us – we’ll be using that to help us incorporate as a business, do more micro-research and help us find partners – but I think as well, there’s the recognition.

“This gives us an opportunity to go out, get some traction and really speak to new partners and build the company. It’s really great to win this award.”

Since the Emerging Technologies Competition began in 2013, 68 winners have gone on to raise over £200m in equity investment and grant funding.

Founded in 1841 and based in London, UK, the Royal Society of Chemistry has an international membership of over 50,000.

Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “For over a decade our Emerging Technologies Competition has celebrated the very best of chemical science innovation, while catapulting exciting ideas towards commercialisation.

“Since then, we’ve been blown away by the level of entries from entrepreneurs across the UK. Addressing everything from air quality to antimicrobial resistance, our chemists are truly working at the cutting edge and playing a vital role in tackling societal challenges, supporting a sustainable future and driving economic growth.

“I would like to personally congratulate all the winners and finalists on their success.”