Syzygy Plasmonics is a Houston-based startup developing the world’s first commercially feasible photocatalytic reactor to help decarbonize the chemical industry. Syzygy’s reactor uses light instead of combustion to produce high-value molecules sustainably and cost-efficiently. Syzygy is initially targeting production of clean hydrogen and renewable methanol. However, their technology is a platform that has the potential to be used to produce many other chemicals like ethylene and aromatics in a less carbon-intensive manner.

In the case of Syzygy Plasmonics, Zeon Ventures took a “collaboration-first” approach to working with the company sponsoring a feasibility study with Syzygy to investigate the potential to convert ethanol to butadiene, an important compound that is a pre-cursor to synthetic rubber.

After demonstrating good potential for ethanol to butadiene, Zeon Ventures invested in Syzygy to help support their work in this area and further strengthen the relationship with ZEON Corporation. This collaboration is still in its infancy but holds promise to providing a pathway to more sustainable production of butadiene.

Syzygy’s Rigel reactor photocatalytic reactor that uses renewable energy to produce high-value molecules.