With methane being one of the major feedstocks in the chemical industry, is the basis for the company that microbe production will be cheaper than traditional catalysts?
Or are you trying to go for more decentralized processes with lower capital costs?
(I have a chemical engineering degree, but don't use it)
Methane is lower cost than other raw materials like oil. That is why there is an opportunity to make chemicals cheaper, and also greener. The microbe itself it the catalyst - actually the enzymes inside do the work.
A decentralized process would let you use all the stranded natural gas that is currently flared. It's a big challenge though.
Sure, but existing chemical companies already use methane as a feedstock.
It would be more interesting if you could rescue the flared natural gas in a place like North Dakota where they're currently not using it and/or reinjecting it into wells to maintain pressure.
Or are you trying to go for more decentralized processes with lower capital costs?
(I have a chemical engineering degree, but don't use it)