45-8 ENERGY
A PIONEERING AND INNOVATIVE COMPANY AT THE HEART OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY ISSUES
The co-founders of 45-8 ENERGY, aware of environmental issues and keen to use their geological expertise to support an eco-engaged action, started from strong observations:
- 100% of the helium consumed in Western Europe is imported mainly from the United States, Qatar and Algeria at great energy cost.
- 95% of the hydrogen consumed comes from the steam reforming of hydrocarbons and coal which, for 1tof hydrogen produced, release 10 to 12t of CO2, an emission that is often unmanaged, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Based on these alarming assessments, 45-8 ENERGY was created in 2017 by five partners wishing to put their skills at the service of the exploration and production of two eco-responsible industrial gases, strategic and valued in a short circuit: helium and natural hydrogen, as well as the resources that can be associated with them. A pioneering approach in Europe!
A positioning strategy built on 3 pillars
Innovative joint valorisation
Our helium exploration activities are conducted in geological contexts prone to the joint presence of other valuable resources such as natural hydrogen. We therefore ambition to value jointly these associated resources in an innovative way in order to maximize project synergies and optimize subsurface resources.
Favor local supplies
Transport has a direct impact on the resource price and on the environment. To limit the carbon footprint while increasing competitiveness, we are targeting local markets to limit transport distances and get rid of liquefaction which is energy-intensive and paradoxical for helium as most of the uses are at gaseous state.
Low carbon supply chains
The local marketing of gaseous resources allows us to set up a lean and low carbon supply chain, with gas separation using membrane technologies rather than liquefaction. The result is production units with a very small footprint and greatly reduced energy consumption, thus limiting the carbon impact of the projects and facilitating their territorial integration.
Optimization of the value chain
Our innovative positioning offers multiple optimizations in the helium and hydrogen value chain in Western Europe.
A local supply
Transport reduction and its associated emissions
A straightforward conditioning without unnecessary steps
Proximity and reliability
Greener gases with enhanced traceability
45-8 ENERGY vision for Helium supply chain in Germany
The development of 45-8 ENERGY in Germany with several exploration license – which could lead to helium production in the country – is a favorable opportunity to meet the high demand for strategic resources in eastern Germany while contributing to the energy and environmental transition. With its first ventures in Germany, the company will simultaneously advance the development of regional exploration to unlock the significant helium potential of this geological region
Our projects in Germany exemplify our business strategy, which is to meet regional demand through short and low-carbon-intensive supply chains. The supply of helium in eastern Germany is already strained. By promoting shorter routes, we aim to particularly avoid the energy-intensive helium liquefaction process, which appears paradoxical considering its cooling properties
Today's helium supply chain in Europe
45-8 ENERGY supply chain model
