Blog icon

CataVAM™ EOI information document

CataVAM™ EOI information document can be downloaded via the form at the bottom of this page.

The opportunity

Developed by CSIRO's Mineral Resources Research Unit, CataVAM™ is a breakthrough catalytic oxidation technology designed to reduce methane emissions from underground coal mine ventilation systems.

Why it matters

Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) contributes up to 15 percent of Australia’s total methane emissions. Its abatement is technically complex due to high airflow, low methane concentrations, and airborne contaminants.

CataVAM™ delivers

  • Effective performance at lower methane levels
  • Smaller footprint and higher VA throughput
  • Lower energy use and operating temperature for enhanced safety

Backed by government and industry funding, CataVAM™  has been successfully demonstrated in pilot-scale trials with a major coal mining company. It offers a compelling opportunity for licensing and commercial deployment to meet evolving regulatory standards and industry demand.

The product

CataVAM™ is a novel catalytic oxidation technology which mitigates the fugitive emission of methane into the atmosphere via ventilation air from underground mine workings.

Industrial metals pipes on a ventilation plant

It utilises a catalytic-conversion approach to improve on and overcome many of the disadvantages of regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO) VAM abatement systems.

CataVAM™ employs a CSIRO-patented novel honeycomb catalyst bed structure which delivers efficient heat control and oxidation reactions, resulting in significantly enhanced methane conversion performance.

The system is currently undergoing trials at an Australian mine site which are due for completion in December 2025 and will demonstrate TRL 7 performance.

The commercialisation partnership

We are seeking a partner entity to lead further development of the technology to commercially available (TRL 9) status with technical input from CSIRO where appropriate.

A successful outcome of this process will result in the granting of an exclusive licence to manufacture and market CataVAM™ with the Australian market to be addressed first, following initial commercial-scale unit implementation at an Australian mine site.

If a single company does not have the capability or capacity to provide the complete solution, we are open to identifying and partnering with a consortium of companies to ensure that all the technical, safety standards compliance and commercial input required for successful product development and delivery will be available.

Formal expressions of interest (EOI) are now invited from industry partners, investors, and research collaborators interested in collaborative development, licensing, and commercialisation of the CataVAM™ technology. Submissions close on 31st August.

For further information please contact Sarah Cleary.

CataVAM™ EOI information document

CataVAM™ EOI information document can be downloaded via the form at the bottom of this page.

The opportunity

Developed by CSIRO's Mineral Resources Research Unit, CataVAM™ is a breakthrough catalytic oxidation technology designed to reduce methane emissions from underground coal mine ventilation systems.

Why it matters

Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) contributes up to 15 percent of Australia’s total methane emissions. Its abatement is technically complex due to high airflow, low methane concentrations, and airborne contaminants.

CataVAM™ delivers

  • Effective performance at lower methane levels
  • Smaller footprint and higher VA throughput
  • Lower energy use and operating temperature for enhanced safety

Backed by government and industry funding, CataVAM™  has been successfully demonstrated in pilot-scale trials with a major coal mining company. It offers a compelling opportunity for licensing and commercial deployment to meet evolving regulatory standards and industry demand.

The product

CataVAM™ is a novel catalytic oxidation technology which mitigates the fugitive emission of methane into the atmosphere via ventilation air from underground mine workings.

CataVAM™ is a novel catalytic oxidation technology which mitigates the fugitive emission of methane into the atmosphere from mine ventilation air.

It utilises a catalytic-conversion approach to improve on and overcome many of the disadvantages of regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO) VAM abatement systems.

CataVAM™ employs a CSIRO-patented novel honeycomb catalyst bed structure which delivers efficient heat control and oxidation reactions, resulting in significantly enhanced methane conversion performance.

The system is currently undergoing trials at an Australian mine site which are due for completion in December 2025 and will demonstrate TRL 7 performance.

The commercialisation partnership

We are seeking a partner entity to lead further development of the technology to commercially available (TRL 9) status with technical input from CSIRO where appropriate.

A successful outcome of this process will result in the granting of an exclusive licence to manufacture and market CataVAM™ with the Australian market to be addressed first, following initial commercial-scale unit implementation at an Australian mine site.

If a single company does not have the capability or capacity to provide the complete solution, we are open to identifying and partnering with a consortium of companies to ensure that all the technical, safety standards compliance and commercial input required for successful product development and delivery will be available.

Formal expressions of interest (EOI) are now invited from industry partners, investors, and research collaborators interested in collaborative development, licensing, and commercialisation of the CataVAM™ technology. Submissions close on 31st August.

For further information please contact Sarah Cleary.

Opportunity to Scale up and Commercialise CataVAM™

CSIRO is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from industry partners, investors, and research collaborators interested in collaborative development, licensing, and commercialisation of the CataVAM™ technology.

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with the  CSIRO Privacy Policy.