The appointment signals Mantle8's commitment to building a long-term presence in the Middle East, where interest in natural hydrogen as an energy resource is growing. The region's geological characteristics and institutional support for energy diversification make it a priority area for the company's exploration programme.
Emmanuel Masini, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mantle8, said: "Expanding into the Middle East is a significant step for Mantle8. Establishing a permanent presence in the UAE, with a dedicated office and Jean-Valery leading commercial and operations activities on the ground, reflects the scale of the opportunity we see in the region. Jean-Valery's industrial background and his deep networks across the Middle East make him the right person to drive our programme forward."
Mantle8 recently completed a €31 million Series A financing round to accelerate its global expansion, with the Middle East marking a key milestone as the company extends operations beyond Europe.
Jean-Valery Garcia, Regional Director, Middle East at Mantle8, said: "Natural hydrogen exploration is one of the most compelling frontiers in the energy sector today. When I saw the technology Mantle8 had built and the alignment with natural hydrogen initiatives in the Middle East, I knew this was the right opportunity. I'm looking forward to building the team and partnerships on the ground here to turn that opportunity into a leading position for Mantle8 in the region."
Natural hydrogen, also known as geological hydrogen, is generated by geological processes within the Earth's crust, offering the potential for significantly lower-cost supply. The resource is attracting growing attention from governments and industries seeking to diversify their energy portfolios and reduce production costs across the hydrogen value chain.
