Highlights

• Chinese company Northern Rare Earth pivots to solid-state hydrogen storage.
• Achieved 351% year-on-year sales growth.
• Achieved 217% profit increase.
• The subsidiary strategically develops an integrated ecosystem of hydrogen materials, devices, and applications across global markets.
• Company aims to become a world-leading specialized supplier in solid-state hydrogen storage.
• Signals China's potential dominance in green energy technology.

---

At Northern Rare Earth’s hydrogen storage subsidiary, workers are carefully packaging solid-state hydrogen storage materials labeled in English—part of a shipment bound overseas that will spend two months at sea. On the other side of the facility, new equipment is being installed at speed to meet surging demand from the global clean energy market.

The dual scene—racing to fulfill export orders while simultaneously scaling capacity—captures how the company is carving out a leading position in solid-state hydrogen storage, a niche sector of the hydrogen economy. By 2025, the subsidiary had signed partnerships with 15 companies across the U.S., EU, South Korea, and Japan, with eight already moving into bulk procurement.

The strategic pivot began in 2024, when management recognized the risks of domestic overcapacity and “involution” in lithium-ion and nickel-hydrogen storage. Instead of competing head-to-head, Northern Rare Earth’s hydrogen arm doubled down on R&D for solid-state storage, creating an integrated chain spanning “materials–devices–applications.” This shift not only addressed bottlenecks in the hydrogen industry but also reversed financial losses, positioning the company for breakout growth.

‘Striking’ Results

The results are striking. In March, at Beijing’s Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo, the firm unveiled its “Beixi Hydrogen” product line: alloy powders, storage tanks, modular devices, and even hydrogen-powered forklifts—drawing immediate industry attention. By May, 1,800 units of solid-state storage devices had been sold in Jiangsu province. July saw the debut of 50 hydrogen-powered two-wheelers at Huamei Smelting. And in August, Inner Mongolia’s first low-pressure solid-state hydrogen fueling station went live. By the end of July, sales of solid-state hydrogen materials had jumped 351% year-on-year, with profits up 217%, already reaching88.8% of annual targets.

The secret sauce: coupling rare earth materials with hydrogen applications to build a full product ecosystem. As Party Secretary and General Manager, Deng Yuan put it: “Identifying market demand and leveraging our unique strengths is the road we must take.” Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its share of battery-grade hydrogen storage materials, push new technology iterations, and globalize sales of both materials and devices—positioning itself as a specialized, world-leading supplier in solid-state hydrogen storage.

Why it matters for the West

This is not just another rare earth play. It signals China’s bid to dominate hydrogen’s next frontier by marrying rare earth science with green energy markets. If successful, it could give Beijing a first-mover advantage in a technology the U.S. and Europe view as essential for decarbonization.

Disclaimer: This news item originates from a Chinese state-owned entity. Third-party sources should independently verify details before informing business or investment decisions.

Source: Baogang Daily (opens in a new tab), September 19, 2025

©!-- /wp:paragraph -->