JSW’s METH2GEN Project Turns Methane into Hydrogen Near Poland’s Budryk Mine
JSW’s METH2GEN project in Poland is converting coal mine methane into hydrogen, cutting emissions and improving safety—offering an innovative transition model for carbon-heavy industries.
Europe’s top coking coal producer is taking a bold and unexpected leap—straight into the heart of the hydrogen revolution.
On April 9, 2025, Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa S.A. (JSW) kicked off the METH2GEN project, a €25.6 million initiative backed by the EU, aimed at tackling two big issues facing the mining world: methane safety and mine decarbonization. Based in Poland’s coal-heavy Silesian Voivodeship, this venture is more than just another upgrade—it’s about transforming methane into industrial hydrogen.
Turning Coal Country into Hydrogen Country
JSW, based in Jastrzębie-Zdrój and operator of the methane-rich Budryk mine, is leading a seven-member team made up of partners from Poland, Spain, and Romania. The project gets its funding from the EU’s Research Fund for Coal and Steel and focuses on two main things: capturing methane using directional drilling and converting it into clean hydrogen through steam methane reforming (SMR).
- Why it matters: Nearly 73% of JSW’s carbon footprint comes from methane emissions.
- Where it’s happening: At the Budryk mine, one of Europe’s deepest and most methane-heavy coal sites.
- Why now? EU regulations on methane are getting tighter, and the demand for hydrogen is climbing fast.
This isn’t just a sidestep—it’s a clear pivot. Instead of burning off methane or letting it leak into the air, JSW plans to channel it into an on-site hydrogen production system. The result? Low-carbon hydrogen that’s expected to be cheaper than hydrogen produced via electrolysis, making it an appealing solution for Poland’s heavy industries.
How It Works: Drilling and SMR
Everything starts underground. Advanced directional drilling rigs are being used to pinpoint and extract methane more precisely and efficiently than traditional methods. Once above ground, the gas heads straight to the SMR plant. There, steam and methane react under high pressure to produce hydrogen—along with CO2. But here’s the twist: Instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, JSW plans to repurpose the CO2 for fire suppression in the mine itself. It’s an inventive step toward keeping emissions below the surface and away from the environment.
Looking ahead, there’s even more potential. By combining SMR with carbon capture reuse (CCR), JSW could create a blueprint for Poland’s coal industry to move toward cleaner operations—without scrapping decades of infrastructure.
What This Means for Europe's Coal Belt
This isn’t a one-off. JSW is aiming for a 30% cut in carbon emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. The METH2GEN project is just one piece of that larger puzzle, alongside other major R&D efforts like REM and MASTERMINE. Instead of walking away from its coal legacy, JSW is finding ways to rework that legacy for a cleaner future.
For the Silesian region, this shift hits close to home. It’s a place that depends heavily on coal jobs but is also facing big pressure to decarbonize. Projects like METH2GEN are offering an alternative path: “just transition” strategies that focus on creating green jobs and reskilling workers—instead of leaving communities behind.
Beyond the Mine: Bigger Impacts and Bigger Questions
Alongside the big climate benefits, there are other wins too:
- Getting clean hydrogen into the rail and steel industries
- Cutting operational costs by turning waste methane into fuel
- Polishing the image of coal-linked industries as they pivot to cleaner practices
- Helping Poland and the EU hit targets under new methane regulations
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Upgrading decades-old systems to support hydrogen production and methane capture isn’t cheap—and it takes time. JSW will need to navigate complex technical challenges, push through high up-front costs, and manage workforce changes as automation and electrification grow underground.
Old Fuels, New Tricks
At the heart of the METH2GEN project is a simple idea: even the most traditional industries can find new life in clean energy. With methane capture already underway and hydrogen production just around the corner, JSW is laying out not just a tech demo, but a roadmap. A way forward for heavy industries in tough, carbon-heavy regions to stay relevant—and even thrive—in a net-zero future.
And for Europe's hydrogen sector? This isn't just another pilot project—it's a solid, hopeful glimpse of what might be possible.
