In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, few names carry as much weight and legacy as Lummus Technology. A global leader in process technologies and catalysts for the oil and gas, petrochemical, and refining industries, Lummus has played a pivotal role in shaping modern industrial infrastructure for over a century. From its humble origins as part of the legendary Standard Oil empire to its position today as an independent powerhouse of innovation, Lummus Technology has consistently delivered cutting-edge solutions that help industries operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.
But who exactly is Lummus? And how does this company continue to influence some of the largest industries on the planet—while simultaneously pivoting toward a greener, cleaner future?
Let’s take a deep dive into Lummus Technology: its history, mission, core business areas, sustainable innovations, real-world impact, and what lies ahead in a world increasingly focused on decarbonization and responsible resource management.
Table of Contents
A Legacy of Innovation: The History of Lummus Technology
The story of Lummus Technology begins in the early 20th century. In 1927, the Lummus Company was founded by brothers Charles and Howard Lummus—engineers with deep expertise in mechanical systems and heat transfer. Initially, the company focused on designing and building heat exchangers and boilers for the burgeoning U.S. refining industry.
In 1935, Standard Oil of New Jersey (later Exxon) acquired a majority stake in Lummus, recognizing its engineering prowess. Over the decades, Lummus became integral to the development of catalytic cracking units—one of the most important innovations in refining history. This process allowed refineries to convert heavy crude oil fractions into valuable gasoline—a technological leap that fueled the global automotive revolution.
Lummus remained part of larger corporate parents—including Combustion Engineering and later ABB—but always retained its identity as a hub of process innovation. In 2020, a watershed moment arrived: McDermott International sold Lummus Technology to a joint venture between Rhône Group and H&F (Hudson’s Bay Capital), transforming it into an independent, privately held company for the first time in nearly 90 years.
This independence gave Lummus Technology the agility to accelerate investments in R&D, expand its licensing business globally, and—critically—refocus on sustainability and energy transition technologies. Far from resting on its legacy, Lummus has become a forward-looking engine of change in the energy ecosystem.
Core Areas of Expertise
What makes Lummus Technology stand out isn’t just its history—it’s the extraordinary breadth and depth of its technical capabilities. The company operates across several interconnected domains, each vital to the modern industrial world.
Refining Technologies
Refineries are the backbone of the global energy supply chain, and Lummus has helped design some of the most advanced units worldwide. Its refining portfolio includes:
- Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC), which boosts gasoline yield
- Hydrocracking and hydrotreating systems for cleaner fuels
- Delayed coking and visbreaking to upgrade heavy feedstocks
- Advanced reforming technologies for high-octane components
These systems are engineered for maximum efficiency, low emissions, and operational reliability—even under demanding conditions like processing high-sulfur crude oils.
Petrochemical and Polymer Solutions
Petrochemicals are the invisible ingredients in nearly everything we use: plastics, textiles, adhesives, detergents, medical devices, and more. Lummus Technology enables the production of essential building blocks like ethylene, propylene, butadiene, and aromatics (BTX—benzene, toluene, xylene).
Key licensed technologies include:
- Olefin Cracking Process (OCP) for maximizing light olefin yields
- DETAL™ for detergent-range linear alkylbenzene
- Novolen™ polypropylene process—one of the world’s most widely licensed PP technologies
- Catofin® for on-purpose propylene and butylene production
What sets Lummus apart here is integration: their technologies are designed not just to produce molecules, but to do so with minimal energy use, reduced waste, and high selectivity—translating into lower costs and smaller environmental footprints for operators.
Sustainable Energy and Decarbonization
Perhaps the most transformative chapter in Lummus’ story is its rapid expansion into clean energy. In just a few short years, the company has positioned itself as a serious player in the energy transition—not by abandoning hydrocarbons, but by reimagining how they’re used and complementing them with zero-carbon alternatives.
Green Hydrogen and Ammonia
Through licensing and partnerships, Lummus Technology supports large-scale green hydrogen projects powered by renewable electricity. Electrolysis systems—particularly alkaline and PEM—can be integrated into existing industrial sites, enabling refineries and ammonia plants to switch from gray (fossil-based) to green hydrogen. This shift is critical for producing carbon-free fertilizers and enabling hydrogen-powered transportation and power generation.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
Lummus has launched Clearwave™, a proprietary carbon capture technology designed for retrofits and newbuilds across refineries, petrochemical facilities, and natural gas processing units. Clearwave™ uses advanced solvents and process optimization to capture over 95% of CO₂ emissions at lower energy penalties than many conventional systems.
| Feature | Clearwave™ Advantage |
|---|---|
| Capture Efficiency | >95% CO₂ removal |
| Energy Penalty | ~15–20% lower vs. standard amine systems |
| Modular & Scalable Design | Suitable for large refineries or small emitters |
| Integration Capability | Compatible with existing Lummus process units |
Circular Plastics & Chemical Recycling
Plastic waste is a global challenge—but Lummus sees it as a resource. Its Recycling Technologies division focuses on chemical recycling pathways, such as pyrolysis and depolymerization, that break down mixed or contaminated plastic waste into feedstocks that can re-enter the petrochemical value chain. This “closed-loop” approach keeps carbon in use and out of landfills and oceans.
Notably, Lummus is collaborating with companies like Plastic Energy and Agilyx to commercialize these systems at industrial scale—proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
How Lummus Technology Works With Clients
Unlike traditional engineering firms that only build plants, Lummus Technology operates primarily through a licensing and technology provider model. This means that instead of constructing every facility itself, Lummus licenses its proprietary processes, catalysts, and know-how to operators around the world—often in emerging markets where local expertise and capital are growing rapidly.
The typical collaboration looks like this:
- Feasibility & Conceptual Design – Lummus works with a client to assess technical and economic viability.
- Technology Licensing – If approved, Lummus grants rights to use its patented process, supported by detailed engineering packages.
- Basic Engineering & FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) – Lummus provides PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specs, and layout guidance.
- Catalyst & Specialty Chemical Supply – Many Lummus processes require proprietary catalysts (e.g., Catofin® catalysts), which Lummus supplies under long-term agreements.
- Commissioning Support & Training – Lummus engineers often assist during startup and provide operator training to ensure smooth, safe operations.
This model allows clients to de-risk major capital projects while benefiting from decades of operational data and optimization. It also enables Lummus Technology to scale globally without massive capital outlays—turning intellectual property into sustainable, high-margin revenue.
To date, Lummus-licensed facilities produce over:
- 35% of the world’s ethylene
- 40% of global propylene
- 50% of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
These statistics underline just how deeply embedded Lummus’ innovations are in the global supply chain.
Real-World Impact: Projects That Matter
Let’s look at a few standout projects where Lummus Technology made a measurable difference.
Saudi Arabia’s Blue Ammonia Initiative
In partnership with Saudi Aramco and SABIC, Lummus contributed key process design and carbon capture integration for one of the world’s first large-scale blue ammonia production facilities. Ammonia—traditionally made using natural gas and emitting vast CO₂—was decarbonized using captured CO₂ from upstream gas processing. Over 40,000 tons of CO₂ per year are now stored underground, with the clean ammonia shipped to Japan for co-firing in power plants.
India’s First Commercial-Scale Chemical Recycling Plant
In 2023, Lummus licensed its pyrolysis-based plastic-to-oil technology to an Indian consortium, enabling the conversion of 60,000 tons/year of mixed plastic waste into pyrolysis oil—used as feedstock for new polymers. This project alone diverts enough plastic from landfills to fill over 1,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools annually.
U.S. Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub
Lummus is supporting multiple developers in the Gulf Coast region to build integrated hydrogen hubs, combining renewable-powered electrolysis, CO₂ capture from nearby refineries, and pipeline infrastructure for clean hydrogen delivery. These projects are expected to supply over 1 million tons/year of low-carbon hydrogen by 2030.
Each of these examples shows that Lummus Technology isn’t just adapting to the energy transition—it’s helping to lead it.
The Road Ahead: Vision 2030 and Beyond
Lummus has set ambitious goals under its “Vision 2030” strategy: to become the world’s most trusted partner for responsible hydrocarbon transformation and sustainable molecules.
This vision rests on three pillars:
- Decarbonizing Existing Assets
Retrofitting refineries and crackers with CCUS, electrification, and efficiency upgrades to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40–60%—without shutting them down prematurely. - Scaling Clean Molecules
Rapidly commercializing green hydrogen, e-fuels (like e-methanol and e-kerosene), and bio-based intermediates for hard-to-abate sectors like aviation and shipping. - Enabling the Circular Economy
Making chemical recycling economically viable at scale and integrating it into global polymer supply chains.
Importantly, Lummus recognizes that abrupt fossil fuel phaseouts are neither feasible nor equitable for developing economies. Instead, the company advocates for pragmatic transitions—using hydrocarbons more wisely today while building the infrastructure for tomorrow’s zero-carbon systems.
Why Lummus Technology Matters—Now More Than Ever
The world faces a dual challenge: meeting rising energy demand while slashing emissions. Simply phasing out fossil fuels isn’t enough—we need smarter ways to use carbon, close resource loops, and build infrastructure that lasts decades.
That’s where Lummus Technology steps in—not as a disruptor, but as an enabler. By upgrading legacy systems, scaling next-gen solutions, and bridging the gap between hydrocarbon expertise and clean innovation, Lummus helps industries evolve without collapsing.
From the gasoline in your car to the plastic in your phone—and soon, the green hydrogen powering your city—Lummus’ invisible hand shapes the material world. And as the energy transition gathers pace, its role will only grow more vital.
In a world hungry for both progress and prudence, Lummus Technology proves that engineering excellence and environmental responsibility aren’t opposing forces. They’re two sides of the same coin—forged in heat, refined through innovation, and built to last.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Lummus Technology a publicly traded company?
A: No. Since 2020, Lummus Technology has been a privately held company owned by a joint venture between Rhône Group and Hudson’s Bay Capital Management.
Q: Does Lummus build plants, or just license technology?
A: Lummus primarily licenses its proprietary technologies and provides engineering support. It does not act as an EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contractor—but often partners with EPC firms like Bechtel, Technip Energies, or Fluor on large projects.
Q: How does Lummus ensure its technologies remain competitive?
A: Through heavy R&D investment—over $100 million annually—and close collaboration with academic institutions, national labs, and industry consortia. Lummus holds more than 5,000 active patents worldwide.
Q: Can small companies use Lummus technologies?
A: Yes. While many clients are large multinationals, Lummus has developed modular, skid-mounted versions of key processes (e.g., mini-FCC or compact hydrogen units) suitable for smaller refiners and startups.
Q: What’s the difference between Lummus Technology and McDermott?
A: Lummus was formerly part of McDermott International. In November 2020, McDermott sold Lummus to private equity firms, making it a standalone entity. Today, they operate independently.
