Hydrexia Singapore Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanghai-listed Hydrexia Holding Limited, and Perseroan Terbatas Samator (PT Samator), an Indonesian conglomerate specialising in industrial gases, have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop hydrogen solutions in Indonesia, PRNewswire reported on June 24. The agreement provides that Hydrexia will supply purification, transport and storage equipment while Samator will act as the distribution channel to industrial customers. The partners aim to build a domestic offer capable of supporting the future local hydrogen economy and preparing potential exports. No financial value was disclosed.
Combined experience
Founded in China, Hydrexia develops solutions spanning the entire hydrogen value chain, from production to distribution. The company cites commercial references in Australia, Japan, Europe and both Americas, where its metallic-tank containers are already in operation. Its Singapore base serves as a springboard for South-East Asia, a market whose demand could reach 1 mn t per year by 2030. Its offer includes purifiers, tube trailers and solid storage systems designed to cut logistics costs.
PT Samator, founded in 1916, dominates the Indonesian industrial gas sector thanks to seventy production and filling sites. The group already supplies hydrogen to refineries and glass makers but intends to extend its services to transport and power generation. Supported by its nationwide network, Samator wants to accelerate the adoption of new industrial applications and support government plans to reduce the energy bill. “With the technological competence of our partner, we are in a position to deliver the best solution to the market, today and tomorrow,” chief executive Rachmat Harsono said.
Roadmap
In a first phase, the partners aim to install a pilot tube-trailer filling unit near Surabaya before year-end. The facility will test metal hydride packaging, Hydrexia’s proprietary technology, under local climatic conditions. The results will guide the deployment of mobile infrastructure for industrial sites lacking pipelines. Joint studies will also examine the feasibility of an export corridor to Singapore using existing gas terminals.
The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources estimates national demand at 18 000 t of hydrogen per year in 2027, driven by the decarbonisation of steelmaking and fertilisers. Hydrexia chief executive Alex Fang said that working with “a strong local partner” allows capital and talent to be mobilised quickly. The parties will soon discuss a definitive agreement covering licensed manufacturing and technology transfer. Their industrial investment schedule will depend on the outcome of those negotiations.
