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The new electrolyser, the largest in Europe, can produce 8.000 tonnes of hydrogen annually, boosting the advancement of renewable energy and the decarbonisation of industry on the continent
Chemical giant BASF has announced the implementation of Europe’s largest green hydrogen electrolyser. The project, developed in partnership with Siemens Energy, has the capacity to produce up to one metric ton of hydrogen per hour, significantly reducing the carbon emissions of chemical production.
The proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer has a capacity of 54 megawatts (MW) and has been integrated into BASF’s main plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
With this infrastructure, the company aims to advance the transition to a low-carbon economy and meet the growing demand for emissions-free hydrogen.
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An innovation for the industry
The electrolyzer project involves 72 cells, where electrolysis takes place, a process that uses electricity from renewable sources to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen. This hydrogen will be fed into BASF's Verbund network, distributed to various industrial facilities and used as a raw material for the production of essential chemicals.
Green hydrogen is a strategic element for the chemical industry, as it can replace more polluting conventional sources. It is currently widely used in the production of ammonia, methanol and vitamins, essential products for several sectors.
Environmental impact and government support
The adoption of this technology will enable a reduction of up to 72.000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year. The initiative is aligned with BASF’s climate goals and the environmental guidelines of Germany and the European Union.
The project has received funding of €124,3 million (around R$683,6 million) from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. The government support reinforces the importance of green hydrogen for the decarbonization of industry and the energy transition.
Hydrogen in mobility and local economy
In addition to being used in chemical production, part of the hydrogen generated will supply mobility projects in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. The aim is to promote the use of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels in the transport sector, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions.
Katja Scharpwinkel, member of the Board of Management of BASF SE and head of the Ludwigshafen site, highlighted that the initiative will help the company's customers achieve their climate goals.
Progress towards the zero emissions target
BASF has a long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Katrin Eder, Minister of State for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility of Rhineland-Palatinate, stressed the importance of the project for the energy transition.
According to her, the company seeks to progressively increase electricity generation from renewable sources and replace fossil-based raw materials with sustainable alternatives.
Udo Philipp, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, said that BASF is demonstrating in practice how the decarbonization of industry can take place. “A flagship project for the integration of hydrogen into a chemical production site has become a reality at the Ludwigshafen site. Through this collaboration, BASF is demonstrating what decarbonization of the industrial sector can look like in practice and inspiring further technological progress.“, he highlighted.
With the new electrolyzer, BASF is advancing the production of green hydrogen and contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions from the chemical industry. The project reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability and serves as a model for future initiatives in the global energy transition.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
