45-8 ENERGY
Discover the 45-8 ENERGY story
From intuition to innovation
It all began in 2017 with a audacious idea: to revolutionize the exploration and production of industrial gases by reconciling economic performance with respect for the environment. Nicolas Pélissier and Benoît Hauville, the company’s co-founders, began this adventure well equipped with their geological expertise, technical and business skills, and a desire to bring new solutions dedicated to rare and strategic resources such as helium and natural hydrogen.
2 key facts
- 99% of the helium consumed in Western Europe is imported mainly from the United States, Qatar and Algeria at great energy costs.
- 95% of the hydrogen consumed comes from the steam reforming of hydrocarbons and coal: for every ton of hydrogen produced, it emits 10 to 12 tons of CO₂, often discarded, contributing to greenhouse gases.
Discover our story
2017
The company 45-8 ENERGY is born
2018
We establish ourselves in the local ecosystem and carry out our first measurements in the field, in prospective areas.
2018
The first employee joins 45-8 ENERGY
2019
Creation of a strategic committee to support us in our decisions
2019
Submission of our first application for a helium exploration license, named ‘Fonts-Bouillants’, covering an area in the Nièvre region.
2020
An initial round of fundraising has been completed, raising €1.3 million.
2020
Our Fonts-Bouillants project has been awarded the “GreenTech Innovation” label, making it the first subsurface project to receive this distinction.
2020
We have reached the milestone of 10 employees!
2021
45-8 ENERGY wins the “Industry Recovery Plan - Strategic Sectors” call for projects for the development of our more eco-friendly membrane process.
2021
We obtain our first exploration license Fonts-Bouillants
2021
The first acquisitions are carried out on our Fonts-Bouillants exploration license: 3D seismic reflection, sampling, gravimetry, ERT, passive seismic, etc.
2021
A second round of fundraising has been completed, raising €4.6 million.
2021
We have passed the milestone of 20 employees!
2022
We are conducting our first shallow drilling campaign, which is proving successful with initial gas discoveries confirmed by well tests.
2022
45-8 ENERGY is a winner of the H40 Index, which lists the 40 most promising companies in low-carbon hydrogen.
2022
We obtain our second helium exploration license in France « Avant-Monts franc-comtois »
2023
We are conducting multiple acquisitions on our second French exploration license, Avant-Monts Franc-Comtois: 2D seismic reflection, airborne electromagnetics, gravimetry, etc.
2023
We have passed the milestone of 30 employees!
2023
45-8 ENERGY expands in Europe with its first exploration license in Germany (Brimir)
2024
We are inaugurating the first pilot helium production unit in France and Western Europe.
2024
We are launching the first mobile helium recycling solution in Western Europe, RECYCL'He
2025
A 3D seismic survey was carried out on our Brimir exploration licence, covering an area of 92 km², a first!
2025
Our mobile recycling solution has been awarded the “Solar Impulse” label, demonstrating its economic viability and positive environmental impact.
2025
The company becomes the second French player to obtain an exploration license for natural hydrogen (Grand-Rieu)
2025
A second exploration license has been granted to 45-8 ENERGY in Germany to explore for helium (Guhlen II)
2025
Two medium-depth drilling campaigns have been conducted in Nièvre (two wells) and Doubs (one well).
2017
The company 45-8 ENERGY is born
2018
We establish ourselves in the local ecosystem and carry out our first measurements in the field, in prospective areas.
2018
The first employee joins 45-8 ENERGY
2019
Creation of a strategic committee to support us in our decisions
2019
Submission of our first application for a helium exploration license, named ‘Fonts-Bouillants’, covering an area in the Nièvre region.
2020
An initial round of fundraising has been completed, raising €1.3 million.
2020
Our Fonts-Bouillants project has been awarded the “GreenTech Innovation” label, making it the first subsurface project to receive this distinction.
2020
We have reached the milestone of 10 employees!
2021
45-8 ENERGY wins the “Industry Recovery Plan - Strategic Sectors” call for projects for the development of our more eco-friendly membrane process.
2021
We obtain our first exploration license Fonts-Bouillants
2021
The first acquisitions are carried out on our Fonts-Bouillants exploration license: 3D seismic reflection, sampling, gravimetry, ERT, passive seismic, etc.
2021
A second round of fundraising has been completed, raising €4.6 million.
2021
We have passed the milestone of 20 employees!
2022
We are conducting our first shallow drilling campaign, which is proving successful with initial gas discoveries confirmed by well tests.
2022
45-8 ENERGY is a winner of the H40 Index, which lists the 40 most promising companies in low-carbon hydrogen.
2022
We obtain our second helium exploration license in France « Avant-Monts franc-comtois »
2023
We are conducting multiple acquisitions on our second French exploration license, Avant-Monts Franc-Comtois: 2D seismic reflection, airborne electromagnetics, gravimetry, etc.
2023
We have passed the milestone of 30 employees!
2023
45-8 ENERGY expands in Europe with its first exploration license in Germany (Brimir)
2024
We are inaugurating the first pilot helium production unit in France and Western Europe.
2024
We are launching the first mobile helium recycling solution in Western Europe, RECYCL'He
2025
A 3D seismic survey was carried out on our Brimir exploration licence, covering an area of 92 km², a first!
2025
Our mobile recycling solution has been awarded the “Solar Impulse” label, demonstrating its economic viability and positive environmental impact.
2025
The company becomes the second French player to obtain an exploration license for natural hydrogen (Grand-Rieu)
2025
A second exploration license has been granted to 45-8 ENERGY in Germany to explore for helium (Guhlen II)
2025
Two medium-depth drilling campaigns have been conducted in Nièvre (two wells) and Doubs (one well).
A geological and human adventure
In a world seeking more responsible solutions in line with ecological and energy transitions, 45-8 ENERGY’s goal is clear: to redefine how we produce and use strategic resources. Why depend on expensive, distant imports when Europe has untapped resources right under our feet?
Our values
🌍 Pioneers at heart
At 45-8 ENERGY, pioneering spirit is in our DNA. We are the first company to explore helium and natural hydrogen in Europe, and this boldness has driven us since day one.
Paving the way for new exploration sectors and more responsible exploitation methods is what drives us. Today, we are proud to be the first to produce helium on European ground… and this is only the beginning!
💡 Innovation at the heart of our business
Positioning ourselves strategically while adopting an eco-responsible approach is a challenge that requires constant innovation.
At 45-8 ENERGY, we push the boundaries of technology to design solutions that are sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly. We imagine the future differently and help to build a more virtuous model.
👥 People first
‘Beyond the results, it’s the adventure that counts.’
Our story is a somewhat crazy human adventure: setting out on search of helium and natural hydrogen in Europe. It was a bold gamble that paid off thanks to those who believed in it and who today are the driving force behind 45-8 ENERGY.
Here, every person counts, grows and contributes to make this wonderful collective story comes true.
🌱 An eco-responsible approach
Our mission is to produce strategic resources locally while reducing our environmental impact. We design economically viable solutions that contribute to the energy transition and a more responsible industry.
We apply this approach at every level: in our operations, the design of our production units, our daily office life and even our personal choices. Together, we are moving forward with conviction toward a more sustainable future.
A forward-looking strategy
At 45-8 ENERGY, we have a clear ambition: to supply the European market with helium and natural hydrogen in a smarter, more local and sustainable way. To achieve this, we have made strong and committed strategic choices.
Intelligently co-valorizing subsurface resources
Our exploration activities lead us to discover resources that are often combined, such as helium and natural hydrogen. Rather than treating these elements separately, we favor a co-valorization approach that maximizes synergies and optimizes the exploitation of geological formations.
But we go even further! When other gases are present, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH₄), we capture and recover them to prevent a release to the atmosphere. Thanks to innovative processes tailored to each project, we transform what could be a challenge into an environmental and economic opportunity.
Prioritizing short supply chains
Long-distance transport has both economic and environmental costs. That is why we have opted for short supply chains: producing as close as possible to where the ressource is needed in order to limit our carbon footprint and avoid energy-intensive processes such as liquefaction.
Take helium, for example: when used in its gaseous state, it is often transported in liquid form, requiring heavy, energy-intensive infrastructure.
By focusing on local distribution, we are reducing the supply chain and ensuring more efficient and competitive distribution.
Reducing the carbon impact of the supply chain
Producing and distributing locally also means designing a more responsible supply chain at every step:
✔ Separating gases using membrane technology to avoid liquefaction and its high energy costs.
✔ Production units designed with a reduced footprint and controlled energy consumption.
✔ Recycling helium to increase the availability of this precious resource and further limit long-distance imports.
A forward-looking strategy
At 45-8 ENERGY, we have a clear ambition: to supply the European market with helium and natural hydrogen in a smarter, more local and sustainable way. To achieve this, we have made strong and committed strategic choices.
Intelligently co-valorising subsurface resources
Our exploration activities lead us to discover resources that are often associated, such as helium and natural hydrogen. Rather than treating these elements separately, we favour a co-valorisation approach that maximises synergies and optimises the exploitation of deposits.
But we go even further! When other gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH₄), are present, we capture and recover them to prevent them from being released into the atmosphere. Thanks to innovative processes tailored to each project, we transform what could be a challenge into an environmental and economic opportunity.
Prioritize short supply chains
Long-distance transport has both economic and environmental costs. That is why we have opted for short supply chains: producing as close as possible to where the product is needed in order to limit our carbon footprint and avoid energy-intensive processes such as liquefaction.
Take helium, for example: although it is mostly used in its gaseous state, it is often transported in liquid form, requiring heavy, energy-intensive infrastructure. By focusing on local distribution, we are reducing the supply chain and ensuring more efficient and competitive distribution.
Reducing the carbon impact of the supply chain
Producing and distributing locally also means designing a more responsible supply chain at every stage:
✔ Separating gases using membrane technology to avoid liquefaction and its high energy costs.
✔ Production units designed with a reduced footprint and controlled energy consumption.
✔ Recycling helium to increase the availability of this precious resource and further limit long-distance imports.
A forward-looking strategy
At 45-8 ENERGY, we have a clear ambition: to supply the European market with helium and natural hydrogen in a smarter, more local and sustainable way. To achieve this, we have made strong and committed strategic choices.
Intelligently co-valorising subsurface resources
Our exploration activities lead us to discover resources that are often associated, such as helium and natural hydrogen. Rather than treating these elements separately, we favour a co-valorisation approach that maximises synergies and optimises the exploitation of deposits.
But we go even further! When other gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) or methane (CH₄), are present, we capture and recover them to prevent them from being released into the atmosphere. Thanks to innovative processes tailored to each project, we transform what could be a challenge into an environmental and economic opportunity.
Prioritize short supply chains
Long-distance transport has both economic and environmental costs. That is why we have opted for short supply chains: producing as close as possible to where the product is needed in order to limit our carbon footprint and avoid energy-intensive processes such as liquefaction.
Take helium, for example: although it is mostly used in its gaseous state, it is often transported in liquid form, requiring heavy, energy-intensive infrastructure. By focusing on local distribution, we are reducing the supply chain and ensuring more efficient and competitive distribution.
Reducing the carbon impact of the supply chain
Producing and distributing locally also means designing a more responsible supply chain at every stage:
✔ Separating gases using membrane technology to avoid liquefaction and its high energy costs.
✔ Production units designed with a reduced footprint and controlled energy consumption.
✔ Recycling helium to increase the availability of this precious resource and further limit long-distance imports.
