Green hydrogen technology startup Supercritical Solutions has successfully raised £14 million in a Series A funding round, co-led by Shell Ventures B.V. and Toyota Ventures.
Founded in 2020, the company has set its sights on significantly lowering the cost of green hydrogen and paving the way for renewable energy solutions, such as its advanced electrolyser technology, to become mainstream and financially viable without the need for subsidies.
Supercritical Solutions has developed what it claims to be the world’s first high-pressure, ultra-efficient electrolyser, capable of producing hydrogen and oxygen at pressures exceeding 220 bar. This technology achieves an impressive efficiency level of just 42 kilowatt-hours per kilogram of hydrogen (kWh/kgH2), delivering hydrogen with 99 per cent purity.
The firm’s innovative approach addresses crucial challenges in the hydrogen production industry by markedly reducing operational costs. It achieves this without the use of ‘forever chemicals’ (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS), membranes, iridium, or rare earth metals—all of which are commonly found in existing hydrogen production technologies. By offering solutions that are scalable and free of these materials, Supercritical aims to drive the cost of hydrogen production down to under £1 per kilogram within the current decade, promoting a shift from grey to green energy across various sectors.
The funding round included follow-on investments from previous seed investors, such as Lowercarbon Capital and Anglo American Platinum, as well as new investments from a diverse global consortium, which encompasses firms like Al Mada Ventures, Blackfinch Ventures, Kibo Invest, Niterra/Global Brain, TOP Ventures (Thai Oil), Earth Ventures, and Alumni Ventures.
Ethan Sohn, Principal at Toyota Ventures, remarked, “Supercritical Solutions’ unique membraneless electrolyzer has the potential for groundbreaking energy efficiency that is critical to bringing down the levelized cost of hydrogen.” Additionally, Omar Laalej, Managing Director at Al Mada Ventures, highlighted that “Supercritical’s breakthrough electrolyzer technology represents a step-change in green hydrogen production, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution to accelerate the global energy transition.”
Morocco has embarked on a significant commitment to green hydrogen through its ‘Morocco Offer’, and Laalej expressed optimism about Supercritical’s technology playing a pivotal role in this emerging ecosystem.
Matt Bird, CEO of Supercritical, stated, “Where others are making cuts and hitting roadblocks, Supercritical strides forward in green hydrogen due to its highly differentiated solution. We are thrilled to partner with such a distinguished group of investors who share our vision for a sustainable energy future.” Bird noted that this represents a key moment in the company’s mission to facilitate the industry’s transition away from fossil fuels, adding that demand for Supercritical’s technology has never been stronger.
In light of this momentum, the company has also launched a waiting list designed to connect potential clients seeking to meet their net-zero goals cost-effectively with Supercritical’s solutions. With several key commercial commitments already in place, the company is positioning itself to assist industries in their sustainability transitions by providing innovative hydrogen production technology.
