Charbone Expands Helium Fleet to Five Units Amid Global Supply Shortages

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 fleet expansion follows accelerated commercial demand driven by 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.

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 helium division, launched in 2025, leverages the company's vertically integrated infrastructure and decentralized production model. By establishing supply capability ahead of recent market disruptions, Charbone secured long-term customer commitments through 2028 that insulate North American operations from volatile international shipping dependencies.

The Company’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. Additionally, 22 new helium customers were added across Quebec recently, spanning laboratories, advanced manufacturing, and technical services. Charbone continues to deploy recurring revenue streams across UHP hydrogen, helium, and oxygen, supporting portfolio diversification.

“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,” said Patrick Cuddihy, Senior Vice-President of CHARBONE.

The shortage has also acted as a strategic market entry tool. Because industrial gas buyers are typically permitted to seek secondary suppliers when their primary providers cannot deliver, Charbone has captured 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.

Charbone is also pleased to announce that it has engaged IMPAQ Capital Inc., an independent service provider, to deliver investor relations services. Based in Montreal, Quebec, IMPAQ specializes in tailored outreach programs that strengthen visibility and engagement with qualified North American investment professionals. The agreement is for an initial term of ten months, effective July 13, 2026, and will automatically renew for successive three-month periods unless terminated by the Company. IMPAQ will receive a monthly cash fee of $8,500. In addition, the Company has agreed to allocate to IMPAQ 300,000 of the already announced grant of stock options on June 23, 2026, at an exercise price of $0.15. 25% of the options will vest quarterly and be exercisable over a two-year period, subject to Charbone’s Omnibus Equity Plan, and standard vesting provisions.

IMPAQ’s Canada-focused expertise with French and English speaking representatives combined with Charbone’s previously disclosed existing US-based investor relations firm, RB Milestone Group, positions the Company to continue strengthening its footprint with North American investor communities.