Innovation.
Application.
Fourth Matter.
At the forefront of energy innovation, we develop plasma technologies that unlock cleaner energy solutions to recover valuable resources and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Our Vision
Why us?
Customers and partners choose Fourth Matter because we offer something fundamentally different — a purposeful application of plasma, the fourth state of matter, to solve some of our most pressing material and energy challenges.
Our proprietary plasma methane pyrolysis technology cleanly transforms Natural Gas into high-purity graphitised carbon and hydrogen — valuable co-products produced with no CO₂ emissions. Powered by plasma’s energy, our solutions are decentralised, modular, and transportable, designed for rapid deployment and seamless integration with both renewable and conventional energy sources.
This is more than advanced technology — it’s a deliberate step toward our vision: harnessing plasma to deliver cleaner, critically needed applications that fuel tomorrow’s technology while meaningfully reducing global carbon footprints.
We encourage you to contact us and query about our pioneering plasma technology as the key to efficient, sustainable production of clean hydrogen and high-purity graphitic carbon, positioning Fourth Matter as a leader in decarbonising energy and materials sectors to drive partnerships, investments, and customer adoption.
Decentralised Modular Systems
Fourth Matter Systems are thoughtfully engineered to sit seamlessly alongside the infrastructure you already trust — co-located, integrated, and ready to enhance what’s already there. Our decentralised philosophy is uniquely designed to close the costly gap in associative distribution, turning fragmented systems into something far more efficient, resilient, and product-centred.
After all, true progress isn’t about replacing what works — it’s about making it work better, together.
At Fourth Matter, we believe the real breakthrough lies not in tearing down existing systems, but in decentralising intelligence so they can work smarter, stronger, and more collaboratively for the people who rely on them.
Harnessing Plasma Potential
What we do
Fourth Matter delivers modular plasma-based systems that cleanly convert methane into two critical materials: high-purity hydrogen and graphitised carbon. Through our PlasMatter Production Platform, we enable low-carbon hydrogen production and domestic graphitic carbon supply in one integrated process.
How we do it
We harness plasma — the fourth state of matter — to drive highly efficient methane pyrolysis. Our modular, transportable, and rapidly scalable systems use intense energy density and molecular dissociation to split methane into hydrogen and high-value graphitised carbon. Designed for co-location and seamless integration with existing infrastructure, the technology operates flexibly on both renewable and non-renewable power sources.
Why we matter
Traditional hydrogen production and graphite supply chains are carbon-intensive, geographically concentrated, and increasingly unreliable. Fourth Matter solves these critical challenges by providing a cleaner, decentralised alternative that simultaneously reduces global carbon footprints, strengthens supply chain resilience for the energy transition, and creates dual-revenue projects that are more bankable and sustainable.
We believe the future belongs to technologies that transform existing resources more intelligently — not by replacing infrastructure, but by elevating it.
Current Matters
FAQ
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is methane pyrolysis (or plasma methane pyrolysis)?
Methane pyrolysis is a clean decomposition process that converts methane (CH₄) into hydrogen (H₂) and solid carbon without direct CO₂ emissions. Fourth Matter’s plasma technology uses the fourth state of matter to achieve this efficiently in a single step, delivering high-purity hydrogen and valuable graphitised carbon.
How does Fourth Matter’s PlasMatter system work?
Our modular PlasMatter systems generate a high-energy-density plasma field that ionises and heats methane to extreme temperatures. This causes molecular dissociation, cleanly splitting CH₄ into hydrogen and graphitised carbon. The process is highly efficient, flexible, and designed for co-location with existing natural gas infrastructure.
What are the main environmental benefits?
Unlike traditional steam methane reforming (which emits 9–12 kg CO₂ per kg H₂), Fourth Matter’s plasma pyrolysis produces hydrogen with significantly lower carbon intensity. When powered by renewable electricity or using biomethane, it can approach carbon-neutral or carbon-negative results. The solid carbon is captured as a usable product rather than released into the atmosphere.
What are the two main products and their applications?
We produce high-purity hydrogen (ideal for fuel cells, heavy transport, and industrial use) and graphitised carbon (suitable for EV battery anodes, advanced materials, and specialty applications). This dual-output model creates strong revenue streams from two critical markets.
What are the main technical challenges around reactor durability and carbon management?
Carbon deposition and electrode wear at ultra-high plasma temperatures are common industry challenges. Fourth Matter’s modular design incorporates advanced gas flow dynamics, rapid quenching, and optimised reactor geometry to minimise fouling and enable continuous operation with high conversion rates (>92%). This engineering focus supports long-term reliability and lower maintenance costs at commercial scale.
How does energy efficiency impact project economics?
Energy efficiency is critical for bankability. Plasma systems typically require significant electrical input, with specific energy consumption ranging 45+ kWh/kg H₂ depending on reactor design and methane flow rates. Top-performing thermal plasma processes have demonstrated methane conversion of 75–99% with hydrogen yields >80%. Real-world economics improve dramatically through heat recovery systems (boosting overall efficiency by ~30%) and the sale of high-value graphitised carbon. One of the biggest real-world hurdles in plasma methane pyrolysis is managing solid carbon deposition and preventing reactor fouling. Carbon particles can accumulate on electrodes, walls, or plasma zones, leading to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance. Fourth Matter addresses this through optimised gas flow dynamics, high-velocity quenching, and reactor geometries that promote carbon entrainment and easy removal. Industry data shows that well-designed systems can achieve continuous operation with conversion rates >92% and minimal downtime, but long-term durability (especially electrode wear at >2000–10,000°C plasma temperatures) remains a key focus for scaling beyond pilot stage. Our dual-revenue structure significantly improves project IRR and bankability compared to single-product hydrogen technologies.
What are the biggest challenges in producing consistent, high-value graphitised carbon?
Achieving consistent particle size, purity, and graphitisation level for battery-grade applications is technically demanding. Fourth Matter’s plasma process allows precise control over temperature, residence time, and quenching rates, producing high-quality graphitised carbon that meets stringent offtake specifications. We are actively qualifying material with industrial and battery customers to de-risk the carbon revenue stream.
Is the technology proven and ready for commercial deployment?
Our Technology is proven and we have successfully optimised further testings around Torch and Reactor configurations including producing hydrogen, acetylene, and other chemicals. Our modular, transportable PlasMatter® platform is designed for rapid scale-up and seamless integration with existing infrastructure, offering investors a practical and investable pathway to clean hydrogen and domestic graphitic carbon supply.