Pioneering chemical firm Promethean Particles has been selected as one of 2025‘s WIRED Trailblazers – an annual line-up of the country’s most innovative small and mid-sized high-growth firms – for its cutting-edge work at the forefront of the fight against climate change.
Compiled by the WIRED Consulting team, the consulting division of WIRED magazine, and delivered in partnership with HSBC UK, the list of Trailblazers celebrates companies that are driving positive economic, social, and environmental change. Promethean Particles is being recognised for its role in scaling up the production of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for use in areas such as carbon capture and water harvesting, innovations that are critical to tackling the climate crisis.http://hsbc.co.uk
The accolade relates to the company’s groundbreaking work in developing a revolutionary method of manufacturing MOFs, which are tiny crystal structures with exceptionally large internal surface areas that enable them to capture and store vast quantities of molecules. This unique capability allows MOFs to be used for a range of purposes, including water harvesting and selectively trapping carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated by the burning of industrial fuels.
Scientists have long understood MOFs’ potential in combating climate change, but large-scale production has historically been too costly and complex to make them commercially viable. That is, until now. Promethean Particles has developed a proprietary continuous-flow manufacturing process that not only boosts the throughput and cost-effectiveness of MOF production but also enhances reliability and consistency. This innovation has proven to be a game-changer, enabling the company to produce MOFs in volumes previously thought to be unattainable.
Promethean Particles was officially named as one of this year’s WIRED Trailblazers at an event held today at Cleaver & Wake in Nottingham.
James Stephenson, chief executive officer of Promethean Particles, who attended the event, said: “It is a huge honour to be recognised by Wired and HSBC as a 2025 Trailblazer. With the rapid progress we have made, it can be easy to forget that we only made the strategic pivot towards a focus on MOFs less than three years ago. In that time, we have closed our Series A funding round, delivered a ground-breaking 4 tonne customer order of MOFs, and have active pilots underway in biogas upgrading and water harvesting, amongst other exciting applications. I am incredibly proud of our team, and this recognition is really about them and what they bring to our pioneering journey every day.”
Being recognised as a Trailblazer not only affirms a business’s growth and innovation but also grants entry to the Scale-Up Knowledge Hub, which is part of the programme that brings companies together to share practical business advice and guidance.
Catriona Ejegi-Memeh, Head of Impact Programmes at WIRED Consulting, said: “We are thrilled to recognise Promethean Particles as a Trailblazer this year. Having followed the company’s journey for several years, it’s inspiring to see its pioneering work in tackling climate change, as well as its continued growth and impact.’’
Pictured: Promethean Particles’ CEO James Stephenson (centre) discussing some of the contemporary challenges facing scale-ups with other Trailblazers, HSBC staff and invited guests.
