CHARBONE CORPORATION, a vertically integrated industrial gases company, announced the expansion of its dedicated helium delivery fleet from one unit to five, enabling accelerated service to North American customers amid tightening global supply. The company, which operates a flagship hydrogen plant in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, is leveraging recent geopolitical disruptions to grow its helium business faster in underserved markets.
Global helium supply shortages, driven by recent disruptions to Qatar's Ras Laffan complex and shipping constraints through the Strait of Hormuz, have created urgent demand for reliable domestic supply sources. Reported helium spot prices have increased significantly, impacting sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing and healthcare. Charbone's helium division, launched in 2025, benefits from the company's vertically integrated infrastructure and decentralized production model, allowing it to secure long-term customer commitments through 2028.
Operational scale and market penetration are reflected in the company's rapidly expanding customer base and logistics capacity. The dedicated helium trailer fleet increased from a single unit in Q4 2025 to five today, with the capacity to add five more within months. Additionally, 22 new helium customers were added across Quebec, spanning laboratories, advanced manufacturing, and technical services. Charbone continues to deploy recurring revenue streams across UHP hydrogen, helium, and oxygen, supporting portfolio diversification.
Patrick Cuddihy, Senior Vice-President of CHARBONE, stated: “We were prepared to scale helium production well before recent supply disruptions materialized. With trailers on order and agreements in place, we've grown our dedicated helium fleet from one unit to five and remain positioned to add five more within months to meet this surge in demand.” The shortage has also acted as a strategic market entry tool, as industrial gas buyers are typically permitted to seek secondary suppliers when their primary providers cannot deliver, allowing Charbone to capture market share from established competitors.
While Charbone's helium division continues to benefit from the setback on production facilities in Qatar, which require rebuilding from drone and missile attacks in March 2026, and ongoing shipping constraints, the company remains in continuous commercial production at its Sorel-Tracy flagship hydrogen plant. With Phase 1B scale-up underway, Charbone is focused on delivering sustained sales growth across its decentralized North American network.
Charbone also announced that it has engaged IMPAQ Capital Inc. to deliver investor relations services. The agreement is for an initial term of ten months, effective July 13, 2026, and will automatically renew for successive three-month periods unless terminated. IMPAQ will receive a monthly cash fee of $8,500, and the company has allocated 300,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.15, vesting quarterly over two years. Combined with its existing US-based investor relations firm, RB Milestone Group, Charbone is well positioned to strengthen its footprint with North American investor communities.
