Unearthing natural
hydrogen

We are a new generation of geologists leading the energy revolution by locating the Earth’s naturally occurring hydrogen reservoirs. Using bottom-up exploration and decades of geology experience, we are on a mission to deliver natural hydrogen to the world.

Natural hydrogen - the future of energy, unlocked

Hydrogen holds 3x more energy per kilogram than gasoline and burns without releasing CO2. This makes it the ultimate clean fuel. However, cost is the main barrier to making it the fuel of the future.

The solution is just beneath our feet

Each year, the Earth produces millions of tons of hydrogen through a reaction between water and iron-rich rocks known as "serpentinization". This abundant, untapped resource lies just beneath our feet.

Locating this resource is the key

The cheapest way to extract natural hydrogen is by finding vast, producible reservoirs near the surface. At Mantle8, we develop technologies to find these hidden places and make natural hydrogen a reality.
Key numbers
We make
hydrogen a reality by 2028
€0. 0 /kg
We'll find
of natural hydrogen by 2030
0 Mt
We have
of experience in geology
0 + years
Technology

Our proprietary technology combines geology, geophysics, and geochemistry data to create highly accurate predictive models for natural hydrogen detection. Multiphysics imaging technology can visualize the entire hydrogen generating system to evaluate the amount and quality of hydrogen present. This proprietary technology is scalable for the assessment and exploration of the entire planet.

Our approach

It all comes down to geology.
Three key geological conditions, when combined, create the best economics for unearthing natural hydrogen. We call this the Geological Trifecta:

1

Source rock
Iron-rich mantle rocks are best for serpentinization, the best natural process for hydrogen generation.

3

Replenishment
The best reservoirs constantly replenish because they are connected to particularly active kitchens where hydrogen is continually produced.

2

Reservoirs
The source rock is connected to shallow reservoirs through natural cracks.

1

Source rock
Iron-rich mantle rocks are best for serpentinization, the best natural process for hydrogen generation.

2

Reservoirs
The source rock is connected through natural cracks to shallow reservoirs.

3

Replenishment
The best reservoirs constantly replenish because they are connected to particularly active kitchens where hydrogen is continually produced.

We’re grounded in science and driven by optimism, moving quickly and relentlessly in our quest to provide solutions.

A journey that spans two decades

Past

It all started in 2005 when our Founder, Manu (Emmanuel Masini), began chasing mantle rocks within mountain belts and oceans leading to his PhD in Structural Geology. Pioneering papers written by Manu and our Lead Geophysicist, Suzon Jammes, in collaboration with those on our current sci-board set the founding geological principles of a scalable hydrogen exploration.

Present

By merging our years of academic research with our relentless drive to lead the energy revolution, we have created proprietary technologies that are scalable for the assessment and exploration of the entire planet. Our team of scientists has attracted funding from Kiko Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures and secured permits.

Future

Proven by the permits we already hold, we are leading the way in discovering the largest natural hydrogen reservoirs close to demand. We halve the project development time for natural hydrogen, saving millions in exploration costs. Eliminating the green premium, we make natural hydrogen the sustainable fuel of the industrial transformation.
Meet the team

Our talented team of geologists, scientists and academics is fueled by a sense of optimism and a passion for protecting our planet.

Emmanuel_Masini_Headshot

Emmanuel Masini (Manu)

Founder & CEO
Aurian_Durbuis_Headshot

Aurian Durbuis

Chief of Staff
Suzon_Jammes_Headshot

Suzon Jammes

Geophysics Lead
Maxime_Ducoux_Headshot

Maxime Ducoux

Geology Lead
Julia_Gomez-Romeu_Headshot

Julia Gomez-Romeu

Senior Geoscientist
Benoit_Tauzin_Headshot

Benoit Tauzin

Senior Geophysicist
Rodolphe_Lescoutre_Headshot

Rodolphe Lescoutre

Senior Geologist
Julien_Perrutel_Headshot

Julien Perrutel

Senior Project Manager
Science advisory board
4

Gianreto Manatschal

Prof. in Tectonics
2

Sébastien Chevrot

Research Director
3

Laurent Truche

Prof. in Geochemistry
1

Luc Lavier

Prof. in Numerical Simulation
5

Michel Jébrak

Prof. in Mineral Systems
Join us

Are you ready to embark on a geological adventure?

Join our team of explorers and innovators as we uncover the Earth’s hidden energy potential. Your skills and passion will help shape a better future.

Reservoir Geologist

Geochemistry Lead

Big Data Developer

Partners
Latest News
07.02.2025

Mantle8, a French natural hydrogen exploration company, has announced today the close of its €3.4m seed financing round with investment from Kiko Ventures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures Europe (BEV-E), with participation from prominent angel investors. 

Mantle8’s proprietary technology combines geophysics, geochemistry and seismic data to accurately detect natural hydrogen locations with world-first accuracy. The company can visualize the entire hydrogen generating system to evaluate the amount and quality of hydrogen present. This breakthrough enables Mantle8 to identify optimal natural hydrogen reservoirs and target hydrogen production at $0.80/kg – a price point that could revolutionize the clean energy market.

Natural hydrogen is produced by nature when water reacts with iron rich rocks underground. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods, natural hydrogen does not require energy-intensive separation processes. While low-carbon alternatives such as electrolysis from renewable energies have emerged, they remain costly. As industries worldwide seek sustainable alternatives for hard-to-decarbonize sectors like steel, cement and aviation, natural hydrogen has the potential to eliminate the green premium and become the sustainable solution for achieving net-zero goals. 

Mantle8 is the first truly geology-based natural hydrogen exploration company. Some companies are already experimentally drilling for natural hydrogen based on surface or former drill hole indications. But similarly to oil and gas or mining exploration, reliable and significant new finds come from geoscientists analysing the Earth’s subsurface to evidence the resources available beneath. Mantle8’s technology is scalable for the assessment and exploration of the entire planet. Its leading levels of accuracy and detail mean that the project development time for natural hydrogen exploration is halved, saving millions in costs.

Mantle8 was founded in 2024 and comprises a team of geologists with 20 years of experience in the field. The funds now secured from Kiko Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Ventures Europe (BEV-E) and prominent angel investors will be used to run a technological pilot to image and quantify hydrogen systems in the ground. Mantle8 will also further develop the cross-border scalability of its technology and expand its team by hiring new AI and geochemistry experts. 

By 2030 Mantle8 aims to find 10Mt of natural hydrogen, complementing the EU goal of producing and importing the same amount of hydrogen generated from renewable energy.

“Our science-first approach represents a paradigm shift in hydrogen exploration. It makes hydrogen discovery more scalable, accurate, faster and profitable,” said Emmanuel Masini, Founder and CEO of Mantle8. “Our technology was founded on broad and intimate collaboration with the scientific community. The next step was finding the right partners that would enable us to deliver this technology boldly. With the support of our investors, we now have the fuel to move at the necessary pace.”

“Most existing approaches to natural hydrogen extraction are based on trial and error, but Mantle8’s proprietary technology is based on rigorous science,” added Rob Trezona from Kiko Ventures. “We are big believers in the hydrogen economy and exited our last investment in hydrogen at over a billion; this could be even more valuable.”

“Mantle8’s expansive regional knowledge and geology-based approach to natural hydrogen exploration puts the company in a strong position to make affordable hydrogen a reality in Europe,” said Carmichael Roberts of Breakthrough Energy Ventures. “With its team of experienced geologists and its bottom-up exploration approach, Mantle8 will have a significant impact on transforming hydrogen discovery.”

Scientific leadership
November 2024
Revisiting orogens during the OROGEN project: tectonic maturity, a key element to understand orogenic variability
June 2024
Natural Hydrogen Prospect Assessment – a Case from the French Pyrenees
August 2021
Native H2 Exploration in the Western Pyrenean Foothills
September 2019
Role of rift structural inheritance in orogeny highlighted by the Western Pyrenees case-study
April 2014
The tectono-sedimentary evolution of a hyper-extended rift basin: the example of the Arzacq–Mauléon rift system (Western Pyrenees, SW France)
Get in touch

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