Supercritical and Shell sign agreement

The agreement formalises a paid technology feasibility study that will support evaluation and planning of a pilot demonstration, including performance data analysis, process safety assessment and a techno economic evaluation.

It builds on the close relationship that began in 2021 with Shell’s New Energy Challenge – an initiative that helps technology-focused startups and scaleups develop innovative technologies that promote sustainability and shape the future of the energy sector. This was later deepened with an investment from Shell Ventures in Supercritical’s £14 million first venture capital financing round in 2024, co-led alongside Toyota Ventures.

Supercritical's patented technology aims to address limitations in current electrolyser systems, targeting high system efficiency and delivery pressures up to 220 bar without hydrogen compressors. By operating at elevated pressure and temperature, the system achieves high efficiency and removes any dependency on either rare-earth materials or membranes that are prone to degradation and supply risk. Ultimately the design aims to lower the cost of renewable hydrogen and enable faster adoption as feedstock for chemicals and fertilizers and use in hard-to-electrify industries such as heavy-duty transport.

"Signing this collaboration agreement with Shell is a major milestone for Supercritical Solutions and an important step on our commercialisation journey,” said Luke Tan, Supercritical. “We are directly addressing the cost and complexity barriers facing the renewable hydrogen market. We are excited to move forward with a company like Shell, whose global leadership has been proven to accelerate innovative technologies to market."

Supercritical’s ultra-efficient, high-pressure electrolyser is designed for industrial hydrogen markets where high delivery pressure is essential. Global demand for hydrogen reached almost 100 million t in 2024, with roughly 90% used at elevated pressures in applications such as ammonia, methanol, and refining. As policies such as the EU’s RED III and national Net Zero targets drive decarbonisation across heavy industry, the need for cost-competitive low carbon hydrogen solutions is expected to grow.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/09012026/supercritical-and-shell-sign-agreement/