Innovating an American-Made Process.
Monolith is the only company in the world using a thermal plasma hydrocarbon pyrolysis process at commercial scale to produce our Nebraska-made carbon black. This next-generation process significantly reduces emissions and water utilization compared to traditional manufacturing process - strengthening domestic supply while conserving natural resources.
This patented process, employed at Monolith’s existing Olive Creek facility in Nebraska, uses electricity to generate thermal plasma and split domestic hydrocarbon feedstocks (oil, natural gas, etc.) in a patented reactor into carbon black, a critical raw material and hydrogen, a fundamental industrial chemical that plays an important role in power generation, ammonia and steel production, and broader transportation applications.
Hydrocarbon feedstock (oils, natural gas) or alternative feedstocks (bio-based or recycled hydrocarbons) enter the reactor here.
A process gas can be added to help heat the hydrocarbons.
The hydrocarbon is superheated by electricity. This is combustion-free and CO2-free.
The heat breaks the bonds between the hydrogen and carbon in the hydrocarbon molecule.
The pairs of hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms move through the chamber and exit separately.
Hydrogen is separated and directed to its end use.
Carbon black is separated and beaded for shipment to customers.
Key Advantages:
Feedstock Flexibility and Efficiency:
Accepts a wide range of hydrocarbon feedstocks, including carbon black oil (CBO), ensuring rapid market adaptation and supply chain resiliency. Achieves ~95% feedstock conversion efficiency versus ~55% for conventional furnace carbon black process. By using our technology we increase the economic output with the same amount of natural resources.
Scalable, Modular Design:
Olive Creek demonstrates modular commercial scalability, enabling incremental capacity growth by replicating the existing end-to-end footprint — each reactor production system called a train — ensuring rapid, cost-effective deployment and efficient setups suitable for rural or urban sites.