Supercritical Solutions has signed a non-exclusive collaboration agreement with Shell Global Solutions International, marking a significant step toward field deployment of its next-generation renewable hydrogen technology.

 

The agreement formalises a paid technology feasibility study as Supercritical moves from an advanced out-of-laboratory prototype toward a pilot demonstration. The study will focus on performance data analysis, process safety assessment and techno-economic evaluation to support planning for a future pilot.

 

The collaboration builds on a relationship that began in 2021 through Shell’s New Energy Challenge, which supports startups developing technologies to accelerate the energy transition. That partnership was strengthened in 2024 when Shell Ventures invested in Supercritical’s £14 million Series A funding round, co-led with Toyota Ventures.

 

Supercritical’s patented electrolyser technology is designed to overcome key limitations of conventional hydrogen production systems. It targets high system efficiency while delivering hydrogen at pressures of up to 220 bar without the need for compressors. 

 

By operating at elevated pressure and temperature, the system eliminates reliance on rare-earth materials and degradation-prone membranes, reducing cost, complexity and supply-chain risk. The company says the approach could lower the cost of renewable hydrogen and speed adoption across chemicals, fertilisers and hard-to-electrify sectors such as heavy-duty transport.

 

"Signing this collaboration agreement with Shell is a major milestone for Supercritical Solutions and an important step on our commercialisation journey.” said Luke Tan, Supercritical. 

 

“We are directly addressing the cost and complexity barriers facing the renewable hydrogen market. We are excited to move forward with a company like Shell, whose global leadership has been proven to accelerate innovative technologies to market."

 

The technology is aimed squarely at industrial hydrogen markets, where high delivery pressure is critical. Global hydrogen demand reached nearly 100 million tonnes in 2024, with around 90% consumed at elevated pressures in applications including ammonia and methanol production and oil refining.