CHARBONE Corporation, a North American producer and distributor specializing in clean Ultra High Purity hydrogen and strategic industrial gases, has announced a key addition to its production team as it prepares for first delivery at its flagship project in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The company has appointed Jean Watelle, a seasoned engineer with more than 25 years of experience in technical and manufacturing management, including 11 years as Director of Hydrogen and Site Operations at Air Liquide Canada.
This leadership appointment comes at a critical juncture for CHARBONE as the company transitions its first project deployment to full-scale production. Mr. Watelle's operational expertise, particularly in continuous improvement methodologies and industrial gas operations, will be instrumental in managing clean UHP hydrogen production from projects across the U.S. and Canada. His background includes five years in Lean Manufacturing and as a Tier 1 specialist for Chrysler and Ford, providing him with comprehensive manufacturing management experience.
The timing of this appointment underscores CHARBONE's strategic focus on operational execution as it prepares to generate its first revenues. Dave Gagnon, CHARBONE's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, emphasized that Mr. Watelle's extensive experience will significantly strengthen the team as the company moves from planning to execution. "As we prepare to generate our first revenues from Sorel-Tracy, we are focused on increasing shareholder value through efficient operations and strategic growth," Gagnon stated.
This development is significant for the clean energy sector as it represents a concrete step toward commercial hydrogen production in North America. CHARBONE's modular approach to developing a network of clean hydrogen production facilities throughout North America and select markets abroad positions the company to support the global transition to a lower-carbon economy. The company's integrated model, which reduces risk and enhances scalability, enables diversified revenue streams through partnerships in helium and other specialty gases.
The appointment of an executive with substantial experience from Air Liquide, a global industrial gas leader, brings established operational knowledge to CHARBONE's growing platform. This move signals the company's commitment to building a robust operational foundation as it scales its clean hydrogen production capabilities. The company's focus on providing accessible, decentralized clean hydrogen and specialty gas solutions addresses growing demand for localized clean energy infrastructure while supporting underserved industrial gas customers.
CHARBONE's progress toward first revenue generation from its Sorel-Tracy project represents a milestone in the commercialization of clean hydrogen production in Canada. The company's listing on multiple exchanges, including the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CH), OTC Markets (OTCQB: CHHYF), and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: K47), provides investors with access to this emerging clean energy opportunity. Additional information about the company is available at https://www.charbone.com, while regulatory filings can be accessed through https://www.sedar.com.
