Hydrogen is back in the spotlight. As the world accelerates its shift toward cleaner energy, investors are hunting for companies that could ride the next wave of growth. In Australia, the hydrogen story has gone from speculative to serious, with real projects, global partnerships, and strategic capital backing the sector.
On the ASX, two companies are emerging as clear breakout contenders—Hazer Group Ltd (ASX: HZR) and Gold Hydrogen Ltd (ASX: GHY). Both are small caps today, but each has unique strengths that could make them central players in Australia’s hydrogen revolution.
Let’s break down why these two hydrogen innovators deserve attention as we head into FY26.
Hazer Group (ASX: HZR): Cash-Flow, Commercialisation, and Global Partnerships
Hazer Group is no longer just a promising technology play—it has crossed the threshold into commercialisation. The company’s breakthrough lies in its low-emission hydrogen and graphite production process, which uses natural gas and iron ore as feedstock. The process not only produces clean hydrogen but also generates synthetic graphite, which has high-value applications in batteries and advanced materials.
A financial reset in FY25
Hazer ended FY25 in a far stronger financial position than many of its peers:
- Cash balance: $12.5 million
- Debt: Nil
- Operating costs: Significantly reduced after the Commercial Demonstration Plant (CDP) completion
- Revenue: First engineering revenue from Canada’s FortisBC and milestone payments
For a company transitioning into revenue-generating mode, this reset is crucial. Investors can now see a clearer pathway to sustainability without constant capital raisings.
Strategic global partnerships
One of Hazer’s most significant milestones in 2025 was landing alliances with KBR and Mitsui—both heavyweights in engineering and global project development. These partnerships unlock new pathways for Hazer to license and market its technology in Asia, North America, and Europe.
Instead of going it alone, Hazer is plugging into billion-dollar networks with the expertise and reach to take its hydrogen-graphite process to global markets.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, Hazer is targeting:
- Licensing deals that could support 50,000+ tonnes of annual hydrogen production.
- Scaling its graphite output for use in batteries, EVs, and industrial materials.
- Continued grant and milestone revenues that will strengthen cash reserves.
If adoption accelerates, Hazer could move from niche player to mainstream technology supplier faster than many expect.
Gold Hydrogen (ASX: GHY): Strategic Capital and Natural Hydrogen Breakthroughs
While Hazer is advancing engineered hydrogen, Gold Hydrogen is chasing a different frontier altogether: natural, or “white,” hydrogen. This refers to hydrogen that occurs naturally underground—an almost untapped resource that could redefine the cost and scale of hydrogen production.
Ramsay Project’s breakthrough results
Gold Hydrogen’s flagship Ramsay Project in South Australia has already delivered results that turned heads globally:
- Hydrogen purity: Up to 95.8%
- Helium concentration: Up to 36.9%
These results suggest the project could supply not just ultra-pure hydrogen but also helium, another high-value gas used in medical, industrial, and space applications.
Backed by global giants
In July 2025, Gold Hydrogen secured a $14.5 million investment from a strategic consortium including Toyota, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, and ENEOS. What’s more impressive is that the investment came at a 22% premium to market price—a strong vote of confidence.
This capital injection not only funds drilling and appraisal but also provides technical expertise from some of the world’s most advanced hydrogen players.
Resource advantage
With more than 75,000 km² of exploration acreage, Gold Hydrogen controls one of the largest natural hydrogen footprints in the world. It already has one granted license and several pending approvals. Importantly, drilling ramps up again in October 2025, giving investors a near-term catalyst.
Why it matters
Natural hydrogen, if commercialised, could provide zero-carbon, low-cost hydrogen at scale—a game-changer compared to conventional production methods. Add in the helium by-product, and GHY has a dual revenue stream that makes it stand out from the pack.
Catalysts to Watch
Both Hazer and Gold Hydrogen have multiple near-term triggers that could fuel a breakout:
Hazer Group (HZR):
- Licensing and engineering revenue growth
- New partnerships with global players
- Demonstration-scale projects coming online in 2026
- First commercial graphite shipments
Gold Hydrogen (GHY):
- October 2025 drilling and appraisal results
- Progress on pilot and commercialisation programs
- Government partnership opportunities in Australia’s clean energy push
- Updates on helium resource monetisation
The Risks
No growth story is without risks, and hydrogen is still an emerging industry:
Hazer Group: Scaling new reactor technology and securing large licensing deals could take longer than expected. Broader adoption of hydrogen and graphite applications also depends on policy support and industry uptake.
Gold Hydrogen: As with any exploration play, there’s risk in proving commercial-scale reserves. Regulatory approvals and the first commercial sales of natural hydrogen and helium may face delays.
Final Take
The hydrogen sector has been through hype cycles before, but the backdrop in 2025 feels different. Governments are embedding hydrogen into their decarbonisation plans, major corporates are writing big cheques, and technology pathways are maturing.
On the ASX, Hazer Group (HZR) and Gold Hydrogen (GHY) stand out as two of the most compelling ways to gain exposure. One is leveraging proven technology and heavyweight partners to push hydrogen and graphite into global markets. The other is pioneering a whole new category of natural hydrogen, with resource scale and strategic backing that few can match.
For investors who believe in the long-term hydrogen story, both HZR and GHY are poised at the right moment—with catalysts, funding, and partnerships lining up. If execution follows, these two small caps could quickly graduate to major players in Australia’s clean energy transition.
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