Global helium supply shortages have enabled CHARBONE to grow its business faster in underserved markets.
VARENNES, QC, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CHARBONE CORPORATION (TSXV: CH; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) ("CHARBONE" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated industrial gases company focused on production, distribution and storage of clean ultra-high purity ("UHP") hydrogen and other strategic industrial gases, today 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.
Recent geopolitical disruptions to Qatar's Ras Laffan complex, historically responsible for approximately one-third of global helium supply, and the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to Western shipping, export constraints have driven price volatility across North American markets. Reported helium spot prices have increased significantly, creating urgent demand for reliable domestic supply sources for sectors like semiconductor manufacturing and healthcare, among others.
CHARBONE's helium division, launched in 2025, leverages the company's vertically integrated infrastructure and decentralized production model. By establishing supply capability ahead of recent market disruptions, CHARBONE secured long-term customer commitments through 2028 that insulate North American operations from volatile international shipping dependencies.
Operational Scale and Market Penetration
The Company's growth is reflected in its rapidly expanding customer base and logistics capacity:
Fleet Expansion: 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.
Customer Acquisition: 22 new helium customers were added across Quebec recently, spanning laboratories, advanced manufacturing, and technical services.
Revenue Diversification: CHARBONE continues to deploy recurring revenue streams across UHP hydrogen, helium, and oxygen, supporting portfolio diversification.
"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," said Patrick Cuddihy, Senior Vice-President of CHARBONE.
The shortage has also acted as a strategic market entry tool. Because industrial gas buyers are typically permitted to seek secondary suppliers when their primary providers cannot deliver, CHARBONE has captured market share from established competitors facing supply constraints. Management expects these new helium relationships to eventually facilitate cross-selling of hydrogen and oxygen products.