New agreement anchors a scalable hydrogen supply chain in one of North America’s fastest-growing energy hubs
Brossard, Quebec, May 19, 2026 – CHARBONE CORPORATION (TSXV: CH; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) (“CHARBONE” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated industrial gases company focused on production, distribution and storage of clean ultra-high purity (“UHP”) hydrogen and other strategic industrial gases, today announced a Conditional Offtake and Infrastructure Development Agreement (“Agreement”) with Vema Hydrogen (“Vema”) to develop a new hydrogen production and processing project in Québec. The site adds a valuable new resource for the region’s merchant industrial gas customers and strengthens the broader supply chain. The Agreement pairs Vema’s Engineered Mineral Hydrogen (“EMH”) production with CHARBONE’s purification, compression, and distribution capabilities to serve growing demand from CHARBONE’s industrial merchant hydrogen customer base up to 15 tons per day.
Leveraging Québec’s position as a regional hydrogen hub, the partnership sets the framework for a “well-to-market” supply chain in the region. The province’s concentrated industrial demand and proximity to key transportation networks minimize long-distance fuel transport and reduce overall system costs, making it a highly efficient geography for hydrogen production and distribution. The project’s design allows Vema to expand into emerging markets including low-carbon maritime and aviation fuel manufacturing, e-fuels, and power generation, where CHARBONE’s purification and distribution capabilities could integrate into multiple parts of the value chain.
“The market is demanding high-value industrial gases and our customers need cleaner, more reliable supply. By pairing Vema’s EMH feedstock with our purification and distribution capabilities, we’re strengthening Québec’s position as a regional hub for next-generation hydrogen,” said Dave Gagnon, President and CEO of CHARBONE.
On the heels of completing drilling and initiating pilot operations in Québec by Vema, the Agreement represents the latest milestone in Vema’s accelerating commercial progress. It broadens the Company’s offtake pipeline into industrial gas distribution, e-fuels, and clean mobility as Vema positions its technology for initial market deployment.
“Across high-value markets – from aviation and maritime fuels to industrial gases, there is incredible demand for Vema’s low-carbon Engineered Mineral Hydrogen. Now, more than ever, we need a pathway to deliver these low-carbon fuels,” said Pierre Levin, CEO of Vema. “As a valued offtaker and partner, CHARBONE’s established logistics networks provide the infrastructure and pathway to meet the immediate market demand for industrial customers across North America.”
About Vema Hydrogen
Vema Hydrogen is a producer of low-carbon hydrogen, offering a new path to a clean energy future. The company’s unique technology, Engineered Mineral Hydrogen, harnesses naturally occurring chemical reactions below the Earth’s surface to produce high-purity hydrogen. By applying geoscience to de-risk production and ensure predictable, cost-competitive output, Vema makes clean hydrogen a viable solution for large-scale industrial energy and baseload power needs. More https://www.vema.earth/.
Momentum Public Relations Inc. Appointment
CHARBONE has retained the services of Momentum Public Relations Inc. (“Momentum”) for services related to its investor and media relations strategies. These services will be primarily provided by Mr. Maxence Gagné-Godbout, who acts at arm’s length from the Company. Under the agreement, Momentum will receive fees of $10,000 per month. The six-month agreement is valid until May 15, 2026. No other compensation is payable under this engagement. The agreement is subject to regulatory approval.
About CHARBONE CORPORATION
CHARBONE is a vertically integrated industrial gases company focused on developing and operating a network of supply hubs for the production, storage, and distribution of Ultra-High Purity (UHP) strategic industrial gases. The Company serves customers across sectors including semiconductors, artificial intelligence and data centers, advanced pharmaceuticals, and aerospace and defense technologies, where UHP gases are critical for high-precision manufacturing processes and operational performance. CHARBONE is advancing a network of clean UHP hydrogen production facilities across North America and selected international markets. The Company’s modular, decentralized, and demand-driven approach, combined with its integrated storage and distribution platform for all UHP gases, supports scalable growth, enhances operational flexibility, and enables more stable and diversified revenue generation. This model allows CHARBONE to efficiently serve mid-tier industrial gas customers with a reliable supply of UHP gases, including hydrogen, helium, oxygen, and any others that are in high-demand gases that are often difficult to source. The Company is committed to supporting the global transition to a lower-carbon economy by providing accessible, decentralized clean hydrogen and specialty gases, while addressing supply gaps for underserved industrial customers and accelerating the shift towards localized clean energy. CHARBONE is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CH), the OTC Markets (OTCQB: CHHYF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: K47).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “intends”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “believes”, “plans”, “likely”, or similar words. Forward-looking statements reflect the respective expectations, estimates or projections of Charbone’s management regarding future results or events, based on opinions, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management at the date the statements are made. Although Charbone believes that the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties related to Charbone’s activities may affect forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, without limitation, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s management discussion and analysis for the period ended September 30, 2025, which can be accessed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Unless required by applicable securities laws, Charbone does not undertake to update or revise the forward-looking statements.
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