Velox – Exportable Solid State Hydrogen Project Advancing Toward Commercialisation
- The Company’s ARENA-funded Kotai Hydrogen Project has achieved its Milestone 2 objectives, validating the exportable solid state hydrogen technology at the lab scale, demonstrating both synthesis of sodium borohydride and hydrogen release at high-pressure.
- The successful completion of Milestone 2, triggers a $1 million funding payment from ARENA, providing ongoing support for the Project.
- The project is on-track to meet Milestone 3, which will scale up the technology before moving to production at a demonstration facility.
Perth, Australia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 27, 2025) – Velox Energy Materials Inc. (TSXV: VLX) (“Velox” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the successful completion of Milestone 2 under the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (“ARENA“) Transformative Research Accelerating Commercialisation (“TRAC“) Program, for the Kotai Hydrogen Project (“Kotai” or “the Project“), led by Curtin University’s Hydrogen Storage Research Group. Velox, together with Curtin, continues to drive forward the commercialisation of the Kotai Hydrogen Project and its solid-state sodium borohydride hydrogen export technology.
The achievement of Milestone 2 triggers a funding payment of AUD $1,000,000 from ARENA, part of a A$5 million TRAC grant awarded to the Kotai Hydrogen project. This grant was originally announced on April 9, 20241, and supports the development of a novel hydrogen export pathway using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) powder. The total project budget is approximately A$16.5 million, including contributions from Curtin University and Velox through its wholly owned subsidiary WA Hydrogen Pty Ltd.
John Curtin Distinguished Professor Craig Buckley, Head of Curtin University’s Hydrogen Storage Research Group, and an Australian Expert on the IEA Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Project (TCP) Task 51: Hydrogen Materials for Energy Storage commented:
This milestone demonstrates that sodium borohydride can deliver hydrogen at high pressure safely and efficiently, which is a significant advancement for global hydrogen transport.
”By validating both synthesis and hydrogen release at lab scale, we’ve proven the feasibility of a closed-loop system powered by renewables. The next step will show how this technology can compete with traditional carriers such as ammonia and liquid hydrogen, while offering superior safety and sustainability.Curtin University is proud to lead research that addresses one of the biggest challenges in the hydrogen economy: safe, cost-effective storage and transport. Through our partnership with Velox and support from ARENA, we’re translating our team’s hydrogen storage expertise into practical solutions that can position Australia as a global clean energy hub. This milestone is a testament to what collaboration between academia, industry, and government can achieve.”
Interim CEO Nicole Morcombe commented:
Low-cost, safe transport and storage of hydrogen remains one of the greatest challenges to unlocking the full potential of the hydrogen economy.
”Through Kotai Energy and our partners, Velox is developing a highly efficient and scalable process that uses an inert powder, sodium borohydride, to store hydrogen and release it on demand, wherever it’s needed. A unique feature of this system is its ability to regenerate the spent material using renewable energy, creating a circular and sustainable hydrogen supply chain.With ARENA’s support, we are transitioning from lab-scale validation to pilot-scale deployment, accelerating the path to commercialisation. We are grateful for ARENA’s backing and look forward to continuing our collaboration with Curtin University to deliver real-world solutions that meet both environmental and economic goals.”
Key Technical Advancements Achieved
- 10 g of sodium borohydride synthesized and purified via an electrochemical process
- Continuous 10 g/hour hydrogen release via hydrolysis in a single vessel
- Hydrogen output up to 1,000 bar, confirming viability of high pressure, on demand delivery
These results confirm proof-of-concept for the closed-loop hydrogen export system and lay the foundation for the next phase of development, targeting scaled production and continuous flow processing.
Pathway to Commercialisation
With the successful completion of Milestone 2 and the receipt of A$1,000,000 in ARENA funding plus $100,000 from Curtin, the project now progresses toward Milestone 3, which will span the next phase of the research program. This milestone will focus on scaling up the electrochemical synthesis of sodium borohydride and demonstrating hydrogen release, building on the validated proof-of-concept.
The ARENA grant also supports the design and construction of a pilot plant, which will be a critical step in transitioning the technology from laboratory to commercial scale. Commercial discussions have commenced regarding the pilot plant’s location and operational terms with a prospective site offering access to advanced infrastructure for hydrogen production, testing, and certification. This facility will demonstrate the conversion of sodium borate into sodium borohydride using renewable energy, and its subsequent transformation into hydrogen gas at exportable quantities. The pilot plant will serve as a key validation platform for attracting future investment and enabling market deployment.
Velox continues to play a central role in the commercialisation strategy, contributing technical expertise, project development capability, and market insight. Velox also holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the intellectual property developed within the Kotai Hydrogen Project.
The overarching goal of the project is to develop sodium borohydride technology that is cost-competitive with existing hydrogen carriers, such as ammonia and liquid hydrogen. The target is to reduce the cost of hydrogen delivered to overseas consumers positioning sodium borohydride as a safe, efficient, and scalable solution for global hydrogen export.
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