Hydrogen power specialist AFC Energy launches world’s first containerised, portable cracking module
AFC Energy PLC (AIM:AFC, OTC:AFGYF) has launched a new hydrogen power solution called “Hy-5,” developed for businesses looking for a more flexible and cost-effective way to produce clean energy.
The company, known for its hydrogen fuel cell technology, is rolling out this portable system under its Hyamtec brand, promising to deliver up to 500kg of hydrogen per day from 2026.
Hy-5 is designed as a “plug-and-play” system, meaning it’s ready to use without the need for complex setup or infrastructure. It’s also being offered under a “fuel as a service” model, where customers pay for the hydrogen they use – at a headline price of £10 per kilogram. That’s significantly cheaper than current market rates, even when factoring in government subsidies.
Hy-5 takes ammonia, a widely available chemical, and converts it into hydrogen with an impressive purity level of over 99.9%. That makes it fully compatible with AFC Energy’s hydrogen fuel cell generators, which are used to power everything from construction equipment and electric vehicle chargers to large-scale industrial operations.
Hydrogen is gaining traction as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, but one of the biggest challenges has been how to produce and distribute it efficiently.
Traditional methods rely on massive infrastructure, including wind or solar farms to power electrolysis, land approvals, and significant investment in equipment. Hy-5 bypasses all of that by using ammonia as its feedstock, making it a much more accessible and scalable solution.
AFC sees huge potential for Hy-5 across multiple industries. It could power hydrogen fuel stations for buses and trucks, keep remote construction sites running, provide off-grid electricity, and even support industries like steelmaking, cement production, and chemicals manufacturing. Since ammonia is already transported globally at scale, this solution could be deployed worldwide without the usual logistical hurdles.
CEO John Wilson said:
Lack of infrastructure and the high cost of hydrogen production are seen as the biggest challenges to scaling the hydrogen industry.
“With the launch of Hy-5, AFC Energy has removed these, launching on-site supply at a market disruptive price point.”
DNA testing firm 23andMe (NASDAQ:ME) has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US, marking the collapse of one of the most high-profile names in consumer genetics.
Co-founder Anne Wojcicki has stepped down as chief executive with immediate effect, though she will remain on the board.
The company said it will continue operating while it seeks a buyer under court supervision and insisted that the way it stores and protects customer data will not change.
The business, once valued at $6 billion and backed by celebrity endorsements, has never turned a profit and struggled to retain users beyond their initial DNA test.
Attempts to expand into drug development and subscriptions failed to gain traction. In 2023, a data breach exposed personal information from millions of customers, though DNA records were reportedly not compromised.
Today, in a filing, the company said it filed bankruptcy petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11, saying it will continue to operate the businesses under the jurisdiction of the courts.
Shares of 23andMe lost over 57% on Monday.
READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central
Hydrogen power specialist AFC Energy launches world’s first containerised, portable cracking module, source
