Natural Gas: Feedstock of the Future? Methane Conversion Technologies for Food, Fuels, Chemicals, and Polymers

The rise in natural gas production worldwide is generating innovation interest in non-energy applications for methane. This report explores five methane conversion technologies – reforming, partial oxidation, oxidative coupling, nonoxidative conversion, and microbial conversion – by highlighting commercialization trends and challenges in each technology area. We find that near- to midterm opportunities exist for the food and fuel industry while chemicals and polymers production from natural gas still face significant technology challenges.