The Japanese Patent Office has awarded a key patent covering Hazer Group’s (ASX: HZR) production process and use of iron ore in the production of hydrogen.
An application pertaining to the process for producing hydrogen and graphitic carbon from hydrocarbons was accepted in December 2024 by issuance of the Notice of Acceptance. The approved claims relate to the production of hydrogen from methane or natural gas using iron oxide as a catalyst.
Given Hazer’s commercial project with Chubu Electric and Chiyoda Corporation, its strategic partnership with Mitsui for graphite market development, and ongoing engagement with other potential customers in Japan, this is an important development that further secures Hazer’s IP position in this strategic market.
Hazer has a disciplined and rigorous intellectual property strategy to protect the intellectual property relating to its novel technology as it progresses towards large-scale hydrogen production.
This new patent expands Hazer’s global IP coverage, which includes over 70 patents and patent applications across 5 discrete technologies underpinning the Hazer process. Hazer’s other patent filings continue to be pursued under the relevant national application processes in each jurisdiction and are proceeding according to normal timelines.
“Japan is an important and strategic market for Hazer and our proprietary technology offers an attractive solution to locally produce low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen, using existing supply chains and infrastructure,” Hazer’s CEO and MD, Glenn Corrie, said.
“We have strong and long-standing partnerships with several tier-1 corporations in Japan and a growing pipeline of other potential customers in key industries. Securing this important IP protection in Japan ensures we maintain a leading position in methane pyrolysis and the production of low-cost clean hydrogen and graphite with our proprietary technology.”