HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”), a technology firm focused on green engineering processes, along with its French subsidiary NOVACIUM SAS (“Novacium”), announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GLD Alloys, a leading Malaysian producer of recycled aluminum. The agreement aims to advance the industrial-scale production of METAGENE™, a fuel that facilitates the autonomous generation of high-pressure green hydrogen.
Although the MoU does not entail binding terms or financial commitments, it establishes a collaborative framework with significant economic and environmental prospects. Mr. John Lee, CEO of GLD Alloys, stated, “This partnership with HPQ and Novacium is a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition toward a cleaner energy industry. With METAGENE™, we are combining sustainability and innovation to meet the world’s rapidly growing demand for green hydrogen. The growth potential is enormous.”
The collaboration leverages GLD’s expertise in producing low-carbon recycled aluminum alloys, a crucial component of METAGENE™ fuel. This solid fuel, formulated with silicon and aluminum, can generate 1.25 cubic meters of hydrogen per kilogram, offering a higher energy density than traditional solutions. GLD’s annual production capacity of 200,000 tons of recycled aluminum ensures quality, cost-efficiency, and scalability, positioning METAGENE™ as a significant player in the global clean energy market.
Dr. Jed Kraiem, COO of Novacium, commented, “We are on the cusp of an energy revolution. METAGENE™ makes green hydrogen accessible, safe, and cost-effective — a true win-win.”
The use of recycled aluminum in the METAGENE™ process by GLD results in a 95% reduction in carbon emissions compared to primary aluminum. Producing one tonne of recycled aluminum emits approximately 0.6 tonnes of CO₂, versus 12 tonnes for primary aluminum. With a goal of producing 500 tonnes of METAGENE™ fuel annually by 2027, this initiative is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by over 5,500 tonnes each year, equivalent to the emissions from 1,200 gasoline-powered cars.
Bernard Tourillon, CEO of HPQ Silicon, stated, “GLD Alloys is the ideal partner to make METAGENE™ a global commercial success. Their substantial production capacity and strong environmental commitment enable us to target a significant share of the green hydrogen market.”
The partnership marks a crucial step in scaling METAGENE™ from pilot development to full-scale production. By utilizing GLD’s industry expertise, HPQ and Novacium aim to streamline the supply chain and lower production costs by 30–50% compared to competing technologies. METAGENE™’s autonomous operation, which does not require electricity, costly storage, or heavy infrastructure, positions it as a competitive solution in the expanding green hydrogen market, projected to reach US$500 billion by 2030.
The timeline for the project includes a pilot phase in 2025 with the production of 10 kg of hydrogen per day, operational field tests in early 2026, and commercial production of 500 tonnes of METAGENE™ fuel annually by 2027.
Source: Novacium
