A new player is set to enter Australia’s hydrogen fuel-cell market. Hydrexia – an integrated hydrogen refuelling station solution provider – has announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Victorian Hydrogen and Ammonia Industries (VHI).
The announcement has come barely a week after North American hydrogen fuel-cell manufacturer Hyzon announced its departure from the Australian market, in which waning government support and a “challenging” market climate were cited as key reasons for the decision.
The planned cooperation between Hydrexia and VHI will utilise market skills and technologies of both companies to meet hydrogen development needs in Victoria and Australia.
“This MOU provides us with an opportunity to collaborate with a new partner in yet another new market,” Hydrexia Head of Commercial Ashley Mills says. “We are extremely pleased to work with VHI to develop the hydrogen market in Australia.
“This new venture will enable us to best utilise our hydrogen technology solutions to serve the needs of VHI in the Australian market.”
The planned cooperation is the latest step in Hydrexia’s south-east Asian expansion, with the Chinese company securing several strategic partnerships, joint ventures and business contracts across the region in the first half of 2024.
Its technology will assist VHI in its attempts to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport emissions through the development of refuelling infrastructure for heavy vehicles.
This infrastructure will initially be implemented along Victoria’s Gippsland Highway before expanding to further routes across major eastern Australia transport routes.
Hydrexia has constructed almost 100 hydrogen refuelling systems globally, including the world’s largest in China.
It has also installed over 170 hydrogen purification plants around the world.
VHI Executive Director Allan Blood says Hydrexia’s experience in the sector will help add value to Victoria’s hydrogen industry.
“We have selected Hydrexia because of its proven hydrogen refuelling station technology along with its total hydrogen handling and storage solution capacity,” Blood says.
“We believe the experience and skills of Hydrexia will add significant value to the state of Victoria. In particular, to receive benefit from the emerging hydrogen economy and assist with the state’s environmental objectives going forward.”
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