Aternium CEO announces hydrogen production expansion into Kent and Sussex counties
Dr. Andrew Cottone says leaders in both Kent and Sussex counties have shown strong interest in collaborating on future hydrogen facilities
WILMINGTON, Del. — Clean-hydrogen producer Aternium plans to expand production into Kent and Sussex counties, the company’s chief executive announced Thursday, Feb. 5, during remarks to the Wilmington Rotary Club in the Gold Ballroom of the Hotel DuPont — a move that signals the company’s next phase of growth will focus outside New Castle County.
Dr. Andrew Cottone, founder and CEO of the Wilmington-based firm, said leaders in both Kent and Sussex counties have shown strong interest in collaborating on future hydrogen facilities, positioning central and southern Delaware as the focus of the company’s next development stage.
The announcement marks a notable shift for Delaware’s emerging hydrogen sector, where early attention has centered on northern Delaware. Instead, Aternium’s strategy now points toward new industrial investment and energy infrastructure in Kent and Sussex counties, regions long seeking additional large-scale economic development.
Company’s role in Delaware’s clean-energy strategy
Aternium, formerly known as First State Hydrogen, is developing low-emission hydrogen powered by renewable electricity for industrial and commercial users. The company has received a $1 million investment through the Delaware Accelerator & Seed Capital Program, reflecting state interest in hydrogen as part of a broader clean-energy and advanced-manufacturing strategy.
- Energy diversification and grid resilience
- Port, logistics, and transportation sectors
- Future data-center and advanced-manufacturing demand
The hydrogen produced by Aternium is intended primarily for industrial and commercial uses rather than energy production, with potential applications in manufacturing, chemical processing, heavy transportation, port and logistics operations, backup power systems, and emerging data-center energy needs. Cottone said the technology is not yet ready for widespread use as a fuel, but noted that current industrial demand, combined with the company’s production of heavy water, creates a clean, sustainable business model that can operate while hydrogen-fuel technologies continue to mature.
Supporters of hydrogen development say that hydrogen as a fuel may provide a lower-emission alternative to traditional fossil-based energy in sectors that are difficult to electrify, while also strengthening regional energy reliability and supporting new advanced-manufacturing activity in Delaware.
Expansion strategy centered beyond northern Delaware
During his Rotary remarks, Cottone described a long-term plan to build a distributed network of modular hydrogen production facilities across Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula.
Crucially, he indicated the next phase of facility development is expected in Kent and Sussex counties, rather than New Castle County.
The hydrogen distributed model is designed to provide:
- Regional supply for industrial customers
- Reduced transportation and infrastructure risk
- Scalable capacity as demand grows
- Broader geographic economic impact within Delaware
Supporters say that approach could bring new manufacturing-scale investment to parts of the state that have historically seen fewer large industrial projects than northern Delaware.
Heavy water as a stabilizing revenue source
Cottone also highlighted plans to produce heavy water, a form of water containing the hydrogen isotope deuterium used in nuclear research, semiconductor manufacturing, advanced materials science and certain medical technologies.
Because heavy water sells at significantly higher prices than commodity hydrogen, the product could provide:
- High-margin revenue supporting company operations
- Long-term contracts with scientific and technology sectors
- Reduced reliance on government subsidies
- Entry into advanced chemical-manufacturing markets
The combined hydrogen-and-isotope strategy is intended to distinguish Aternium from other early-stage hydrogen developers.
Economic implications for Kent and Sussex
Potential hydrogen facilities in Kent and Sussex counties could represent a meaningful new category of industrial recruitment for central and southern Delaware, particularly in areas seeking:
- Skilled-trade and technical jobs
- Infrastructure investment
- Expanded tax base and business activity
Key questions remain, including specific sites, construction timelines, permitting requirements and workforce needs.
Looking ahead
If realized, Aternium’s expansion into Kent and Sussex counties would represent one of Delaware’s most significant new-energy infrastructure developments in recent years — and a geographic shift in where large-scale clean-energy investment occurs within the state.
Cottone told Rotary members the company’s broader vision is to pair clean hydrogen production, advanced chemistry and regional collaboration to secure Delaware’s role in next-generation energy markets, with the next chapter now pointed toward central and southern Delaware.
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Aternium CEO announces hydrogen production expansion into Kent and Sussex counties, source
