Carbon280’s $16m Hydrilyte® pilot plant in Australia showcases breakthrough hydrogen storage, enhancing safety, reducing costs, and enabling scalable global adoption.
Carbon280 has officially launched its advanced Hydrilyte® Technology Pilot Plant in Kwinana, Western Australia, representing a major milestone in hydrogen storage innovation. The initiative follows the successful raising of over $16 million, combining both private and government support, to accelerate the rollout of Hydrilyte®, a pioneering liquid hydrogen storage solution.
Funding for the pilot and laboratory facilities was primarily driven by a $10.6 million seed round led by Woodside Energy. Additional support came from UK-based Hive Energy and a Singaporean family office, while the Australian Government is expected to provide $5.5 million in R&D rebates. This funding landscape reflects both confidence in the technology and recognition of its potential to address one of the most pressing challenges in hydrogen’s commercialisation.
Australia’s hydrogen ambitions have recently faced significant obstacles, including rising development costs, technical hurdles, and the suspension or cancellation of multiple high-profile projects. Carbon280’s Hydrilyte® technology directly tackles these bottlenecks by enabling hydrogen storage under ambient temperature and pressure, thereby making storage and transport significantly safer, more efficient, and more affordable.
Transforming Hydrogen Handling at Scale
Mark Rheinlander, Founder and CEO of Carbon280, highlighted the transformative nature of Hydrilyte®. “Instead of transporting a highly flammable gas, you can now move a safe, low-cost liquid under everyday conditions. This simplicity will dramatically accelerate hydrogen adoption across global markets, particularly in regions with limited infrastructure.”
The pilot plant itself is a 100kW TRL6 prototype, designed to validate Hydrilyte® technology at an industrially relevant scale. By providing critical performance data, the facility will strengthen investor and partner confidence, paving the way for larger-scale applications. If successful, it could lower costs for existing hydrogen users and enhance the economics of emerging projects such as green iron production, synthetic aviation fuel, and methanol manufacturing.
Unlocking Natural Hydrogen Potential
One of Hydrilyte®’s unique advantages lies in its ability to separate hydrogen from helium—a notoriously difficult task due to their similar molecular sizes—while storing hydrogen in a transport-ready form. This capability could be a gamechanger for natural hydrogen projects, which often encounter mixed-gas reservoirs. By enabling developers to monetise both hydrogen and helium, Hydrilyte® broadens the commercial viability of such ventures.
According to Rheinlander, pairing natural hydrogen with Hydrilyte® can slash costs, streamline logistics, and expand hydrogen’s role across industries, including energy and advanced materials.
Towards Scalable, Safe Hydrogen Logistics
Because Hydrilyte® is a pumpable liquid, it can leverage existing global infrastructure—pipelines, storage tanks, and shipping fleets—designed for traditional fuels. This compatibility drastically reduces capital requirements for hydrogen logistics while ensuring safety, energy efficiency, and scalability.
The launch of the pilot plant represents a pivotal step in de-risking hydrogen investment in Australia and advancing the global hydrogen economy. Carbon280 remains committed to delivering solutions that secure a sustainable, commercially viable hydrogen future.
