Hazer advances collaboration with Engie for a facility in France

Australian company Hazer Group has announced it has extended its existing non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with French utility company Engie to further progress the development of a first Hazer facility in Europe. The agreement is a continuation of the activities under the initial MOU signed between both parties in July 2022.

Under the extended agreement, Hazer and Engie have agreed to work collaboratively to prepare the Project Development Plan for a clean hydrogen and graphitic carbon production facility based on Hazer’s proprietary technology, located at the existing LNG import and regasification terminal in Montoir-de-Bretagne in France. The terminal is owned and operated by Engie’s affiliate company Elengy, and the Project is referred to as H₂Montoir. The planned production facility is targeting an initial production capacity of at least 2500 tpa of hydrogen, to be used in industrial applications and mobility.

The Hazer Process enables the effective conversion of natural gas and similar methane feedstocks, into hydrogen and high-quality advanced carbon materials, using iron ore as a process catalyst.

The MOU follows a period of technical information exchange, due diligence and initial market assessment conducted by Engie over the course of 2022. A preliminary feasibility study was conducted on the application of the Hazer process at the existing LNG import and regasification terminal in Montoir-de-Bretagne, and preliminary investigations established that hydrogen produced from the Hazer facility can meet the requirements for low-carbon hydrogen projects under relevant regulatory frameworks and guidelines as administered by the European Union.

“We are delighted to be progressing this project in close collaboration with Engie, a very well respected international utility company, to realise a first Hazer production facility in Europe,” said Glenn Corrie, Managing Director of Hazer Group. “Europe is a strategic market for Hazer and we are excited to be building a position with a global energy leader in a region which is prioritising climate change action and recognising the immediate role Hazer technology can play in accelerating decarbonisation in a cost-effective way. This collaboration with ENGIE further validates the potential of the Hazer technology and its attractiveness in the market.”