CHARBONE Hires Air Liquide Veteran as Company Prepares for First Hydrogen Production Revenue

CHARBONE Corporation has appointed Jean Watelle, a former Air Liquide Canada executive with more than 25 years of experience in technical and manufacturing management, to its clean Ultra High Purity hydrogen production team. This strategic hire comes as the company prepares for its first delivery at its flagship project in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, marking a critical transition from planning to revenue generation.

Watelle brings extensive expertise from his 11-year tenure as Director of Hydrogen and Site Operations for Air Liquide Canada's Large Industries - Eastern Region, along with five years of experience in Lean Manufacturing and as a Tier 1 specialist for automotive manufacturers Chrysler and Ford. His background in continuous improvement methodologies and operational management positions him to support CHARBONE's expansion across both U.S. and Canadian projects.

The timing of this appointment is significant as CHARBONE moves toward generating its first revenues from the Sorel-Tracy facility. According to Dave Gagnon, CHARBONE's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, "Jean's extensive experience in industrial gases, particularly in operations and production management, will significantly strengthen our team as we move from planning to execution." Gagnon emphasized that the company is focused on increasing shareholder value through efficient operations and strategic growth during this pivotal phase.

CHARBONE's business model centers on developing a network of clean hydrogen production facilities throughout North America using a modular approach that reduces risk and enhances scalability. The company's integrated strategy also includes diversified revenue streams through partnerships in helium and other specialty gases. More information about the company's operations and strategy is available at https://www.charbone.com.

This development matters because it represents a concrete step toward commercializing clean hydrogen production in North America at a time when governments and industries are accelerating their transition to lower-carbon energy sources. The hiring of an experienced executive from a major industrial gas company like Air Liquide signals CHARBONE's commitment to operational excellence as it scales its production capabilities. For investors, this move addresses execution risk during the critical phase of transitioning from development to revenue generation.

The implications extend beyond CHARBONE's immediate operations. As the company prepares to deliver its first clean UHP hydrogen from Sorel-Tracy, it contributes to building North America's hydrogen infrastructure, which is essential for decarbonizing industrial processes, transportation, and energy systems. The company's focus on underserved industrial gas customers and localized clean energy solutions could accelerate adoption in markets that have traditionally relied on more carbon-intensive alternatives. Financial disclosures and risk factors related to the company's operations are documented in regulatory filings available through https://www.sedar.com.