CHARBONE Expands Helium Fleet Amid Global Supply Crisis

CHARBONE CORPORATION (TSXV: CH; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47), a vertically integrated industrial gases company, announced the expansion of its dedicated helium delivery fleet from one unit to five, enabling accelerated service to North American customers amid tightening global supply. The company's helium division, launched in 2025, leverages its vertically integrated infrastructure and decentralized production model. Recent geopolitical disruptions to Qatar’s Ras Laffan complex, historically responsible for approximately one-third of global helium supply, and the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to Western shipping, have driven price volatility across North American markets. Reported helium spot prices have increased significantly, creating urgent demand for reliable domestic supply sources for sectors like semiconductor manufacturing and healthcare, among others.

CHARBONE's growth is reflected in its rapidly expanding customer base and logistics capacity. The dedicated helium trailer fleet increased from a single unit in Q4 2025 to five today, with the capacity to add five more within months. The company added 22 new helium customers across Quebec, spanning laboratories, advanced manufacturing, and technical services. CHARBONE continues to deploy recurring revenue streams across UHP hydrogen, helium, and oxygen, supporting portfolio diversification. Patrick Cuddihy, Senior Vice-President of CHARBONE, stated, "We were prepared to scale helium production well before recent supply disruptions materialized. With trailers on order and agreements in place, we've grown our dedicated helium fleet from one unit to five and remain positioned to add five more within months to meet this surge in demand." The shortage has also acted as a strategic market entry tool, allowing CHARBONE to capture market share from established competitors facing supply constraints. Management expects these new helium relationships to eventually facilitate cross-selling of hydrogen and oxygen products.

While CHARBONE’s helium division continues to benefit from the setback on production facilities in Qatar requiring rebuilding from drone and missile attacks in March 2026 and shipping constraints persist, CHARBONE remains in continuous commercial production at its Sorel-Tracy flagship hydrogen plant. With Phase 1B scale-up currently underway, the Company is focused on delivering sustained sales growth across its decentralized North American network. Additionally, CHARBONE has engaged IMPAQ Capital Inc. to deliver investor relations services for an initial term of ten months, effective July 13, 2026. IMPAQ will receive a monthly cash fee of $8,500 and 300,000 stock options. This engagement, combined with its existing US-based investor relations firm RB Milestone Group, positions the Company to strengthen its footprint with North American investor communities. For more information, visit www.charbone.com.