This EPFL spin-off, established in 2023, is developing oil-free low-pressure scroll compressors. Aimed primarily at encouraging the production of green hydrogen, they should rapidly find applications in a wide range of fields.
High costs, complexity, and inefficiency of production systems are currently hindering the widespread deployment of low-carbon hydrogen. One of the main issues is the lack of cost-effective solutions for compressing hydrogen at low pressure and transporting large volumes of gas at high speeds. The oil-free compressors developed by Beyond Scroll provide a solution to this problem and should help support the hydrogen sector in pursuing ambitious goals, such as 60% of hydrogen coming from renewable energy sources in Europe by 2035.
Technology
Based on spiral technology, the solution patented by the young start-up consists of oil-free compressors that can operate at any pressure (particularly low pressure), compressing hydrogen without contaminating it. Not only can they be used to design more efficient, more compact and less energy-hungry machines, but they are also easier to assemble and maintain. The result is lower hydrogen production costs and a longer lifespan than the compressors currently available on the market. While this technology can be applied in a number of areas, Beyond Scroll wants to focus primarily on hydrogen. The company believes that its innovation could have a considerable positive impact throughout the green hydrogen value chain.
Maturity
A prototype was used to validate the device before patents were obtained in 2024. A contract has been signed with the Italian Snam SpA, Europe’s largest gas transmission system operator, and several contracts are under negotiation in Switzerland, Europe and Japan. A pilot project is also starting in late 2024, to test the first compressors ordered by an industrial customer. Beyond Scroll has set up its own production lines, with a view to putting its technology into series production. Its sights are set on the global green hydrogen market and all applications requiring low-pressure compression. In the medium term, it is also targeting compressed air, carbon capture and storage, and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector. A seed round should enable the company to raise CHF 2.5 million in the first quarter of 2025.
‘Our innovation will have a considerable positive impact throughout the low-carbon hydrogen value chain.’
Marianna Fighera, CEO and co-founder of Beyond Scroll
This portrait is taken from the 2nd Overview of cleantech start-ups published in 2024. Read the full publication here.
