New Hydrogen Carrier Breakthrough: What This Means for Oman’s Energy Investment and Business Growth
MUSCAT, DEC 3 — Two Netherlands-based green fuel technology companies, H2-Fuel and HydroFlexx, have collaborated to introduce an innovative hydrogen carrier designed to address key technological, safety, and cost challenges in current green hydrogen storage and transportation solutions. This advancement holds significant potential for emerging hydrogen producers like the Sultanate of Oman.
The companies unveiled their new powder-based hydrogen storage and transport medium, called ‘H2Easy’, at the Green Hydrogen Summit Oman (GHSO) 2025, held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). During the summit, Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven, CEO of H2-Fuel, and Sander Castel, CEO of HydroFlexx, announced plans to merge their firms fully by January 1, 2026, aiming to accelerate the commercialisation of what they describe as a potentially transformative hydrogen carrier.
At the heart of H2Easy is sodium borohydride, a well-established industrial chemical known for its high hydrogen density. This enables compact, stable, solid-state hydrogen storage that is safer and simpler to handle than compressed or liquefied hydrogen. Sodium borohydride releases hydrogen on demand via controlled hydrolysis and offers chemical stability and non-volatility, facilitating long-term storage with minimal safety and logistical risks.
H2Easy allows hydrogen storage and transport at ambient temperatures in the form of a non-flammable, non-toxic powder, representing a major leap forward in safety and usability. The system is fully circular: after hydrogen is released, the remaining powder, known as H2Spent, can be regenerated into fresh carrier material through the companies’ patented recycling technology.
Because the carrier is stable and solid, it can be transported using conventional container vessels, eliminating the need for expensive specialised hydrogen tankers. Upon hydrogen extraction at the destination, the H2Spent powder can be returned—for instance, to Oman—where it can be regenerated into sodium borohydride. Though energy-intensive, the regeneration process could be powered by Oman’s abundant renewable energy, improving both cost-effectiveness and carbon efficiency.
Van Brouwershaven emphasized that the H2Easy system overcomes several critical barriers to global hydrogen trade, including safety risks, energy losses, and inefficiencies. “With a stable powder that releases hydrogen through our patented process and can be fully regenerated, we offer a practical pathway to transport green hydrogen from production hubs like Oman to demand centres worldwide,” he said.
HydroFlexx CEO Sander Castel highlighted the company’s regeneration technology, which facilitates efficient hydrogen extraction at the point of use and enables circular reuse of the carrier. “By industrialising this technology, we open the door to safe, scalable hydrogen logistics suitable for maritime, industrial, and remote power markets—ranging from initial pilot projects to gigaton-scale deployment,” he added.
The developers state that the H2Easy carrier could be 30–40% more cost-effective than many competing hydrogen carriers. Unlike alternatives such as compressed hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, or liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), H2Easy combines high volumetric and gravimetric efficiency with convenient, user-friendly handling.
Both companies are actively seeking strategic investors and partnerships within Oman’s expanding green hydrogen ecosystem, including project developers, offtakers, and infrastructure providers. Potential collaboration areas include pilot projects in Oman and GCC export corridors, maritime and port hydrogen bunkering, industrial decarbonisation, distributed power systems, and the development of large-scale regeneration and powder production facilities.
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The introduction of the H2Easy hydrogen carrier presents a transformative opportunity for Oman’s green hydrogen sector, enabling safer, more cost-effective storage and transport solutions that leverage the Sultanate’s abundant renewable energy for carrier regeneration. For businesses and investors, this innovation reduces logistical barriers and opens pathways to scalable export markets and industrial applications, positioning Oman as a potential global hub in the emerging hydrogen economy. Smart stakeholders should prioritize strategic partnerships and pilot projects now to capitalize on this cutting-edge technology and accelerate Oman’s green energy transition.
