Rise Reforming Deploys Pilot Unit to Convert Biogas into Chemicals
The company has secured funding from University of Chicago accelerators and signed binding supply agreements as it moves to commercialise waste-to-chemical technology.
Rise Reforming, a startup in Y Combinator’s S26 cohort, has launched its pilot container at a wastewater treatment plant in the Chicagoland area, marking the commencement of construction for its waste-to-chemicals technology. The system is designed to convert domestic raw biogas into dimethyl ether (DME), aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by utilising waste gases as feedstock.
The technology is housed within shipping containers to facilitate rapid, in-situ deployment and modular scaling. This design allows the company to streamline permitting processes and access low-cost biogas sources, with modules that can be added or subtracted to match the scale of the host facility. The proprietary process produces DME that the company states competes on price with petrochemical DME and the cheapest green methanol and dimethyl carbonate available on the market.
Financial backing and commercial commitments are already in place to support the venture’s progression. Rise Reforming has secured funding from University of Chicago accelerators and signed a binding supply agreement with biogas producers, alongside multiple memorandums of understanding. Additionally, the company has established a conditional offtake agreement for its first commercial unit.
Leadership recognition has accompanied the technical milestones, with CEO George Rose named a Climate Fellow by the 776 Foundation, which is led by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The team has also been recognised with the European Aerosols Federation 2025 Start-Up Award and presented at Paris Packaging Week, where they were noted as the youngest presenters at the event.
The startup’s approach seeks to remove the reliance on vulnerable supply chains by avoiding the extraction, processing, and transportation of fossil fuels. By converting waste gases directly into valuable chemicals, Rise Reforming aims to offer a low-carbon alternative that fits within existing infrastructure constraints while providing quicker payback periods for investors and operators.
