By Jonathan Kersting, Pittsburgh Technology Council
The digital fire was a'cracklin' during my conversation with George Skoptsov, founder of H Quest, as we explored how his company is reshaping the landscape of advanced carbon materials. Could natural gas, which has long been dismissed as a cheap energy source, hold the potential to do much more? George certainly thinks so, and his pioneering work through H Quest is proving it.
In this latest episode of the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Fireside Chats series, George shared insights into his company’s decade-long journey of innovation, its groundbreaking progress, and some exciting news that’s sure to put Pittsburgh firmly on the map in the field of advanced materials.
H Quest didn’t start out as a one-trick pony, as George emphasized. While the company’s current commercialization involves developing carbon black, its origins trace back to a humble mission: reinventing how we use natural gas. The question at the core of their efforts was simple yet game-changing—why burn natural gas when it can be transformed into something far more valuable?
George presented a compelling argument. Western Pennsylvania, with its abundant supply of natural gas, has historically exported or burned this resource for energy. But what if a $3 supply of natural gas could be turned into $300 worth of battery-grade graphite, carbon nanotubes, or even graphene—materials that are fundamental to the future of industries like renewable energy and technology?
At its core, H Quest’s innovation isn’t about inventing new materials or markets. Instead, it’s about revealing the value buried in something abundant yet undervalued. The company’s process unlocks the true potential of natural gas, transforming it into advanced carbon materials essential for cutting-edge applications.
George gave a fascinating breakdown of this value multiplication: it’s about utilizing natural gas as a feedstock rather than a simple energy source. The transformation is stunnin! Watch the chat and see how you can take an inexpensive raw material and convert it into high-end products with immense market potential, particularly in areas like battery technology.
As George aptly put it, "Our goal is not to invent a new material and then invent new uses for it. It's about leveraging what is already there.” That practicality, combined with innovation, is turning heads not just in Pittsburgh but around the world.
Having interviewed George several times over the years, it’s been inspiring to watch H Quest’s steady progress. What’s particularly exciting is its commitment to keeping this innovation homegrown. George pointed out that this isn’t just a technological breakthrough; it’s transformative for Pittsburgh as well. The city's historical industrial legacy is now being revitalized through cutting-edge technologies that promise global impact.
As our conversation came to an end, George hinted at something exciting: a new partnership with Goodyear and new announcements down the line as H Quest continues its journey of bringing its technology to market. While he remained mum on the specifics, it’s clear that big things are coming for H Quest and the Pittsburgh tech scene.
H Quest is proving what happens when bold ideas collide with abundant resources and relentless innovation. As George said, “Transforming something undervalued into cutting-edge applications is what innovation is all about.” The next time we hear about advanced carbon materials reshaping industries, we may need to look no further than Western Pennsylvania.
Keep an eye on H Quest as it pushes boundaries and fuels the future—quite literally.