Hazer's Japanese collaboration achieves first milestone

Hazer Group Ltd has announced progress on a planned Hazer production facility in Nagoya, Japan. The project is being developed in collaboration with Chubu Electric Power Company, a major Japanese energy utility, and global engineering company Chiyoda Corporation.

The planned project will utilise Hazer’s proprietary methane pyrolysis technology, under a licence agreement, and is initially designed to produce 2500 tonnes per annum of clean hydrogen along with high-quality graphite. The project will leverage and integrate with Chubu Electric’s existing LNG supply chain and infrastructure in the Nagoya region. The facility is designed as a scalable platform with potential to expand in response to growing demand for clean hydrogen and graphite.

Chubu Electric and Chiyoda have now successfully completed the pre-feasibility study and the project has advanced with the identification of a preferred site location, initial design and engineering activities, with the companies satisfied that the technology is cost-competitive and delivers favourable project economics.

Following the successful completion of the performance test program at Hazer’s Commercial Demonstration Plant in Australia, Chubu Electric has commenced engagement with potential graphite off-takers in the Nagoya region. Several priority customers have been identified with product testing and commercial discussions underway.

In parallel, the project partners are actively pursuing funding options, including potential co-investment and grant opportunities under Japanese Government initiatives aimed at supporting industrial decarbonisation.

“Our collaboration with Chubu Electric and Chiyoda Corporation represents a significant milestone in Hazer’s global commercialisation strategy,” said Hazer’s CEO and MD Glenn Corrie. “Japan is a strategic market for Hazer with extensive LNG infrastructure, limited access to carbon capture and storage options and strong policy support for industrial decarbonisation.

“Hazer’s technology offers a transformative, immediate, low-cost and near-term solution for hard-to-abate sectors and we’re proud to be progressing this opportunity with world-class partners.”

Image caption: Senior members of the National Diet of Japan, DFAT and Mitsui visited Hazer’s Commercial Demonstration Plant.