How a gas meter at a world expo inspired a start-up

In a feature by journalist Hans Nauta in the Dutch newspaper Trouw, a leading publication known for its in-depth reporting on sustainability, ethics, and the future of society, the story of Hydryx begins with a single, striking moment.

During a visit to the World Expo site in Osaka, our founder Joren Tangelder noticed a methane gas detector inside the Dutch pavilion. Built on an artificial island of waste, the site was quietly releasing methane from decomposing organic material below the surface: gas that was simply being vented into the atmosphere despite its value and volatility.

The risks were real. During construction of the pavilion, a single welding accident caused an explosion in a restroom, damaging the concrete structure. Even after safety measures such as increased ventilation, air monitoring, and smoking bans were introduced, methane concentrations remained high enough to raise concern. For Joren, it became a clear example of a global issue: landfill methane is both a major climate problem and a missed energy opportunity. Combined with his background in energy systems and the perspective of co-founder Anthonie Jacobson, who had seen how methane emissions are often measured but rarely acted upon, the foundation for Hydryx was set.

But the full story of how these insights became a working, scalable solution, and what it could mean for the future of energy, is even more remarkable. Read on to discover the innovations that are transforming how we think about waste, energy, and the climate.