Unitrove

What Unitrove does

Unitrove is a UK-based clean energy infrastructure company headquartered in Shepshed, founded in 2008 and operating with 1-10 employees. It develops zero-emission fueling infrastructure for maritime decarbonisation, with two core products: a Liquid Hydrogen Bunkering Facility (described as the world's first for zero-emission ships) and a Zero-Emission Multi-Fuel Station (ZEMFS) designed to serve both hydrogen and electric vessels. The company's technology focus is on physical infrastructure engineering for liquid hydrogen storage, transfer, and multi-fuel dispensing at ports.

Unitrove's go-to-market is consortium-led and government-funded rather than commercial sales-based. It secures grants from UK public-sector bodies including Innovate UK, the UK Department for Transport, and the Transport Research and Innovation Grant, and operates within the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII) Demonstration Programme alongside Connected Places Catapult and High Value Manufacturing Catapult. Between April 2022 and March 2024, the company received approximately $1.12M across four disclosed grant rounds, with the largest single inflow of $943,301 in February 2023. The company operates through subsidiary Unitrove Innovation and is led by Group CEO Steven Lua.

The company's revenue model is characterised as subscription/recurring through government-funded infrastructure development projects, though no commercial pricing, offtake agreements, or named port operator customers are disclosed. The ZEMFS is planned to be operational by March 2025, marking the transition point from funded R&D to live port deployment, and Unitrove states its bunkering designs are intended for rapid deployment at ports worldwide.

Name

Unitrove

Website

https://unitrove.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Unitrove is a UK-based clean energy company developing zero-emission maritime fueling infrastructure, including the world's first liquid hydrogen bunkering facility and a multi-fuel station for hydrogen and electric ships. It serves ports and shipping operators via UK government-funded consortium projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure

NAICS

Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing (333611), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternative Low-Carbon Marine Fuels Bunkering (Methanol, Biofuels, Ammonia, Hydrogen) (TLAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC)

Keywords

• Maritime hydrogen fueling
• Zero-emission bunkering
• Liquid hydrogen infrastructure
• Port decarbonization
• Multi-fuel stations

Headquarters

HQ city

Shepshed

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Infrastructure Development: Unitrove generates revenue through government grants and consortium funding to develop zero-emission maritime fueling infrastructure. The company develops and deploys hydrogen and electric ship fueling solutions with UK government support for decarbonisation initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

Unitrove develops and deploys zero-emission maritime fueling infrastructure, including the Zero-Emission Multi-Fuel Station (ZEMFS) for hydrogen and electric ships and the world's first liquid hydrogen bunkering facility for zero-emission vessels. The company designs, builds, and deploys its proprietary stations and bunkering facilities at ports to support decarbonisation of maritime shipping.

Product overview

Unitrove operates as a hydrogen infrastructure technology company offering a portfolio of zero-emission energy solutions for maritime applications. The company's core products include the Zero-Emission Multi-Fuel Station (ZEMFS) for hydrogen and electric ships, and the Liquid Hydrogen Bunkering Facility, which represents the world's first such facility for zero-emission vessels. Both products are designed to support decarbonisation in maritime shipping through alternative fuel infrastructure at ports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zero-Emission Multi-Fuel Station (ZEMFS) A multi-fuel station designed to serve hydrogen and electric ships, offering multiple fuelling options to support decarbonisation in maritime shipping. Planned to be operational by March 2025.
• Liquid Hydrogen Bunkering Facility The world's first liquid hydrogen bunkering facility for zero-emission ships, developed with UK Government grant funding to enable rapid deployment at ports worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports maritime shipping decarbonisation with multiple fuelling options
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Connected Places CatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected Places Catapult announced five hydrogen technology demonstration projects under the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII) Demonstration Programme, selecting and supporting hydrogen technology companies including those in the maritime/rail sectors.
• High Value Manufacturing CatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh Value Manufacturing Catapult leads the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII) Demonstration Programme supported by Innovate UK, working to strengthen the UK's hydrogen sector and position UK businesses in the global sustainable energy transition.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hexagon Purus: Hexagon Purus provides hydrogen storage and distribution systems for marine, road, and aerospace applications. It is directly comparable as a hydrogen infrastructure supplier targeting zero-emission vessels, with overlapping customer base in shipowners and integrators.
• Everfuel: Everfuel develops and operates green hydrogen production and fueling infrastructure across Europe, including heavy-duty mobility and emerging maritime applications. Directly comparable as a hydrogen fueling infrastructure operator serving transport decarbonization, with similar consortium/government-backed project model.
• Nel ASA: Nel ASA manufactures hydrogen electrolyzers and H2Station fueling stations for mobility and industrial use. Comparable as a hydrogen fueling infrastructure provider with maritime and heavy-duty transport applications, though with broader scope including production.
• Element 2: Element 2 is a UK hydrogen refueling network operator deploying stations for road transport and exploring maritime applications. Directly comparable as a UK-based hydrogen refueling infrastructure developer targeting transport decarbonization with government and consortium support.

Broad incumbents

• ITM Power: ITM Power is a UK-based electrolyzer and hydrogen equipment manufacturer focused on green hydrogen production. Broadly comparable as a UK hydrogen infrastructure player benefiting from similar Innovate UK and government funding programs, though focused on production rather than bunkering.
• Plug Power: Plug Power provides hydrogen fueling solutions, electrolyzers, and fuel cell systems for mobility and industrial customers globally. Comparable as a hydrogen fueling infrastructure incumbent expanding into heavy-duty and emerging marine applications, with overlapping technology stack.

Others

• Chart Industries: Chart Industries manufactures cryogenic equipment including liquid hydrogen storage and distribution systems used in fueling infrastructure. Comparable as a critical equipment supplier to the liquid hydrogen bunkering value chain that Unitrove serves.
• Houlder: Houlder is a maritime engineering and design consultancy with active practice in zero-emission vessel design and alternative fuel integration. Comparable as a maritime decarbonization ecosystem participant addressing overlapping customer needs around alternative fuel infrastructure.
• BMT Group: BMT Group provides maritime engineering, naval architecture, and consulting services with focus areas including vessel decarbonization and alternative fuel systems. Comparable as a maritime services and engineering player in the adjacent decarbonization infrastructure ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Ballard Power Systems: Ballard Power Systems develops hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for marine, rail, and heavy-duty mobility. Comparable as a maritime hydrogen ecosystem enabler whose fuel cell adoption drives demand for bunkering infrastructure like Unitrove's.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/Unitrove

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unitrove