Erwan Pannier (Spark Cleantech)
Overview
Erwan Pannier is a prominent engineer and entrepreneur known for his contribution to the field of clean technology, particularly in the development of decarbonization solutions for heavy industries. He is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Spark Cleantech, a startup that focuses on creating innovative technologies for reducing carbon emissions in industrial processes. Spark Cleantech is renowned for pioneering the technology of pulsed plasmolysis to produce low-emission hydrogen and other valuable materials from hydrocarbons, providing an alternative to fossil-fuel combustion in various industrial applications.
Recent Developments
In the past couple of years, Erwan Pannier and Spark Cleantech have been at the forefront of significant advancements in clean energy solutions:
- December 2025: Spark Cleantech successfully closed a €30 million Series A funding round led by 360 Capital and Taranis, with participation from the Île-de-France Reindustrialisation Fund and Asterion Ventures. This funding aims to scale up their methane plasmolysis technology, targeting decarbonization of sectors such as metallurgy, glassmaking, and battery manufacturing. This financial backing will support the deployment of the company's first commercial production module by late 2027.
- October 2023: Spark Cleantech announced a €4 million fundraising to support their mission of developing decentralized units for the production of decarbonized hydrogen. This initiative is part of their broader goal to revolutionize hydrogen use in industrial settings.
- 2023: Spark Cleantech installed its first industrial pilot within a year of its seed funding round in the summer.
- 2023: Erwan Pannier's work on cold-plasma hydrogen production was recognized for its potential to significantly reduce energy consumption in industrial processes.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Erwan Pannier |
| Born | 1990, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Engineer, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Co-founding Spark Cleantech |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Education | CentraleSupélec, Stanford University |
Early Life and Education
Erwan Pannier was born in 1990 in France. From an early age, he showed a strong interest in science and engineering, traits that would shape his academic and professional future. He pursued his higher education at CentraleSupélec, one of France's leading engineering institutions, where he specialized in plasma physics and combustion energetics. His academic excellence and innovative mindset earned him a dual opportunity to work and study at Stanford University as an invited researcher. At Stanford, he focused on developing cold-plasma technologies for energy applications, laying the groundwork for what would later become Spark Cleantech.
During his doctoral studies, Pannier worked extensively on the experimental and numerical analysis of nanosecond discharge plasmas, which would play a pivotal role in formulating his approaches to CO2 dissociation and hydrogen production. His research was guided by a commitment to addressing climate change through technological innovation, leading to his focus on sustainable energy solutions.
Career and Notable Achievements
Erwan Pannier's career has been marked by a series of significant achievements in clean technology:
- Co-founder and CTO of Spark Cleantech - Pannier utilized his academic background to co-found Spark Cleantech in 2022, alongside Patrick Peters.
- Development of Pulsed Plasmolysis Technology - This technology forms the core of Spark Cleantech’s operational strategy, enabling the production of hydrogen and solid carbon as decarbonized energy sources and materials.
- Fundraising Success - Under his leadership, Spark Cleantech raised substantial funding, including €34 million since its inception, to drive industrial-scale applications of their technologies.
- Industrial Pilots - Successfully deployed an industrial pilot within a year post-seed funding, showcasing their technology’s readiness for practical, industrial applications.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Erwan Pannier continues to lead Spark Cleantech in its mission to provide economically viable and clean energy solutions. His work focuses on bridging cutting-edge scientific research with industrial applications to advance the energy transition. Spark Cleantech’s innovative approach of harnessing pulsed plasmolysis positions the company as a leader in the production of low-emission hydrogen—a critical component for decarbonizing heavy industrial sectors. The technology not only promises a reduction in carbon emissions by up to 85% but also generates products that offer greater economic value than traditional methods.
Conclusion
Erwan Pannier’s contributions through Spark Cleantech are reshaping the landscape of industrial energy use by offering pioneering solutions for reducing carbon emissions. As the energy sector progressively shifts towards cleaner alternatives, Pannier’s vision of leveraging advanced scientific research to meet economic and environmental goals holds significant potential for widespread impact. His ongoing efforts and the strategic expansion of Spark Cleantech could play a pivotal role in accelerating global decarbonization efforts and inspiring future innovations in sustainable energy.