Hydrogen Optimized granted $3.6M Government of Canada loan to automate and expand manufacturing capacity
by CM staff
FedDev Ontario funding will help the company reach the scale required to become a global leader in the clean hydrogen equipment market.
OWEN SOUND — Hydrogen Optimized Inc., a subsidiary of Key DH Technologies Inc. (KEY), has been awarded an over $3.5-million repayable contribution from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), to automate and expand its RuggedCell water electrolyzer manufacturing capacity in Owen Sound, Ontario.
The funds will go toward an $11-million project that will increase RuggedCell electrolyzer production at the company’s Owen Sound manufacturing facility five-fold to 5,000 electrolyzer units per year of clean hydrogen production systems, and create 50 full-time jobs.
Hydrogen Optimized’s patented RuggedCell water electrolyzers are the core components of the company’s large-scale clean hydrogen production plants.
“With support from FedDev Ontario, our manufacturing scale-up will provide Hydrogen Optimized with the capability to supply RuggedCell systems to the world’s largest clean hydrogen projects,” said Andrew T.B. Stuart, President and CEO, Hydrogen Optimized. “We thank the Government of Canada for helping us to accelerate RuggedCell output and reduce manufacturing costs through cutting-edge automation.”
The two-year project, which began in December 2022, will build on the company’s existing capability to provide RuggedCell systems. In addition to the FedDev Ontario investment, the expansion is being funded with private investment along with financial support from the Government of Ontario.
“With this investment, Hydrogen Optimized and their dedicated workforce will continue to build on their potential and establish the company as a key manufacturer in the global energy market,” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Our government is pleased to support the growth of clean energy and innovative technology so we can work together to create good jobs for rural communities and build a greener and more sustainable future for Canadians.”
