Promethean Particles

MaterialsNottingham, UKFounded 2007· One of 970 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

Industrial-scale continuous manufacture of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for carbon capture and energy-transition applications

CEO / Founder: James Stephenson
Team Size: 11-50
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $13M
Latest Round: Series A
Key Investors: Mercia Ventures, Aramco Ventures, TSP Ventures, Foresight Group (Midlands Engine Investment Fund), University of Nottingham, British Business Bank (East Midlands Early Growth Fund), UK Government, European Innovation Council, Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund

Technology & Products

Key Products

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for carbon capture, biogas upgrading, atmospheric water harvesting, and gas storage/separation; MOF scale-up manufacturing services; continuous-flow nanomaterial synthesis technology.

Technological Advantage

Patented hydrothermal process, sustainable water-based synthesis, multi-material capability

Differentiation

Value Proposition

World's largest continuous-flow MOF manufacturing plant enabling cost-effective industrial carbon capture and related applications

How They Differentiate

Industrial continuous-flow scale vs lab-batch MOF production; patented hydrothermal continuous process; cost-effective high-quality MOFs for real-world CCS/biogas/water apps; multi-material capability and world's largest continuous MOF plant.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Carbon capture operators and energy companies, biogas/biomethane producers, water-harvesting technology developers, industrial gas storage/separation users

Industry Verticals

Carbon Capture, Biogas/Biomethane, Atmospheric Water Harvesting, Gas Storage and Separation, Energy Transition

Competitors

MOF Technologies, NuMat Technologies

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

{"founded": "2007", "investors": "13", "recognition": "WIRED Trailblazer 2025", "series_a_2024": "£8M"}

Major Milestones

Feb 2026: MOF carbon capture tech showcased to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (IOP); Nov 2025: Four-tonne MOF export (largest commercial order); Oct 2025: First CFO Paul Denney appointed; Sep 2025: WIRED Trailblazer 2025; Feb 2025: Paul Capell appointed board chair; Aug 2024: £8M Series A (Mercia/Aramco); 2016: Genesis Park expansion to world's largest continuous MOF plant; 2007: Founded as University of Nottingham spinout

Notable Customers

Carbon capture pilot partners (e.g. Drax collaboration), industrial MOF buyers (tonne-scale commercial export Nov 2025), biogas/energy and water-harvesting application partners

https://prometheanparticles.co.uk

Official records

Filings, certifications, and programme counts AMPulse can show for this company.

[F] Horizon / CORDIS · 2 AM awardsProject records derived from CORDIS, the European Union research results portal, CC BY 4.0.

[F] CARMOF: New process for efficient CO2 capture by innovative adsorbents based on modified carbon nanotubes and MOF materials · 2018
[F] Cost-effective and flexible 3D printed SOFC stacks for commercial applications · 2016

Why this company matters

AMPulse analysis, not a company disclosure

Promethean Particles supplies metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and other nanomaterials at industrial scale, targeting applications in carbon capture, printed electronics, and polymer additive manufacturing. Founded as a University of Nottingham spinout, the company operates what it claims is the world's largest continuous multi-material nanoparticle plant, a facility that distinguishes it from lab-scale producers of MOFs and conductive inks.

The company's core technology is a patented continuous-flow hydrothermal process that enables water-based, sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials. This process supports multi-material production, including copper-based conductive inks for 3D printing that the company says cost roughly one-twentieth that of silver-based alternatives. These inks are aimed at printed electronics applications such as RFID antennas, where lower material cost could enable broader adoption of additive manufacturing in electronics production.

Promethean Particles serves electronics manufacturers, solar cell makers, and environmental technology companies. Its MOF materials are also being piloted for carbon capture, including a pilot project with Drax. The company raised an £8 million Series A round in August 2024 led by Mercia Ventures and Aramco Ventures, with additional backing from the UK government and the European Innovation Council.

The company's primary competitive challenge is scaling adoption of MOFs and conductive inks beyond pilot projects into high-volume production for end markets like automotive tier-1s or aerospace primes. While its continuous manufacturing process offers a cost advantage over batch production, the market for 3D-printable conductive inks remains nascent, and Promethean Particles must demonstrate that its materials can meet the reliability and throughput requirements of industrial electronics manufacturing.