Air Products plans to start construction of a second hydrogen liquefaction plant in Rotterdam, which will double Europe’s current liquid hydrogen capacity on opening in 2025. - GasWorld

This new source is in addition to the company’s existing liquid hydrogen plant in Botlek.

Liquid hydrogen produced at the plant will be used to supply increased demands from high tech industries as well as the mobility market, and contribute to the decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles on Europe’s path to climate neutrality by 2050.

Together with Schenk Tanktransport and TNO, Air Products is collaborating on the Clean Hydrogen and Road Transport Project (CH2aRT), which will develop hydrogen trucks and public hydrogen refuelling station at Botlek.

In June, Air Products and Gunvor Petroleum Rotterdam (GPR), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gunvor Group, signed a joint development agreement for an import terminal, in response to accelerating demand for green energy sources to meet climate objectives and the need to diversify energy sources. The terminal is expected to provide green hydrogen to the Netherlands in 2026.

Last month Air Products and Associated British Ports (ABP) announced they are partnering to bring the first large scale, green hydrogen production facility to the UK.

The facility, at the Port of Immingham, would import green ammonia from production locations operated by Air Products and its partners globally. The facility will produce green hydrogen, which would decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as transport and industry.

Air Products’ expansion is another feather in the cap for hydrogen-focused Rotterdam.

Rotterdam, a global hub for shipping, aims to become an international centre for hydrogen production, import, application and transport to other countries in Northwest Europe. Hydrogen made in Latin America or Australia, for instance, could be shipped to the port, processed, and moved onwards to the hinterland. It could supply 4.6 mtpa of hydrogen to the continent by 2030.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority recently awarded the contract for the construction of a new pipeline strip along the Moezelweg to Swietelsky Rail Benelux B.V. The pipeline strip, due to be completed end 2023, will accommodate up to seven cables and pipes belonging to HyTransPort.RTM and Porthos for the movement of hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Shell has become the first company to sign up to use HyTransPort.RTM. Holland Hydrogen I, the electrolyser that Shell is going to build on the Maasvlakte, will connect to the pipeline.

Air Products plans to commit $4bn for the transition to clean energy over the next five years for new investments or modifications to existing assets including low and zero carbon hydrogen.

The company has said it is creating a new “Third by ‘30” CO2 emissions intensity goal under Scope 3 emissions, adding to its Scope 1 and 22 goals to reach Net Zero in its operations by 2050, which it says will bring its total commitment to first mover projects to $15bn through to 2027.

Air Products has donated more than 20 computers to the Child Academy Programmes Combined School in Tembisa, Gauteng, in South Africa.

The donation was made through the company’s corporate social investment (CSI) committee, which aims to provide funds to support the needs of local communities.