Charbone Corporation, a vertically integrated industrial gases company, announced Tuesday 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 also produces ultra-high purity hydrogen and other strategic gases, is leveraging recent geopolitical disruptions to grow its business in underserved markets.
Global helium supply shortages have been exacerbated by recent disruptions to Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex, historically responsible for approximately one-third of global helium supply, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to Western shipping. These events have driven price volatility and created urgent demand for reliable domestic supply sources, particularly for semiconductor manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Reported helium spot prices have increased significantly, according to the company.
Charbone's helium division, launched in 2025, utilizes 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, insulating North American operations from volatile international shipping dependencies.
The company’s 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 ultra-high purity 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.
While Charbone’s helium division continues to benefit from the production setbacks in Qatar—where facilities require rebuilding from drone and missile attacks in March 2026—and shipping constraints persist, the company remains in continuous commercial production at its Sorel-Tracy flagship hydrogen plant. With Phase 1B scale-up currently underway, the company is focused on delivering sustained sales growth across its decentralized North American network.
In a separate announcement, Charbone also engaged IMPAQ Capital Inc. to deliver investor relations services. The Montreal-based firm will receive a monthly cash fee of $8,500 and 300,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.15, vesting quarterly over two years. The agreement is for an initial term of ten months, effective July 13, 2026.
