Case Study: Fortune 500 Chemicals Manufacturer achieves scalable catalytic routes for converting C2–C5 alkanes to C5+ hydrocarbons with Wazoku

A Fortune 500 Chemicals Manufacturer Explores Innovative Uses for Short Chain Alkanes

A Fortune 500 chemicals manufacturer ran a 70‑day global ideation challenge to find catalytic, scalable routes for converting short‑chain alkanes (C2–C5) into heavier C5+ hydrocarbons in fewer than three steps and with ≥10% single‑pass yield. The open call generated 169 project rooms and 23 submissions from nine countries, exploring catalysts, reaction engineering, co‑conversion strategies, biological and electrochemical concepts.

The Seeker made three awards totaling $15,000 to detailed proposals (one 17 pages) from a U.S. university professor, an independent consultant in India, and a researcher in Russia — all with advanced degrees. Winners submitted technical plans or proof‑of‑concept approaches, and under the challenge rules the Seeker received non‑exclusive rights to IP in all submissions and direct contact details for the awarded Solvers to pursue further engagement.