Europe's first climate-neutral industrial region is taking shape in Rheinisches Revier. Hydrogen is at the heart of this transformation, serving as a vital source of electricity and heat, a medium for energy storage and an alternative fuel. The region is already strategically positioned along the entire hydrogen value chain: Ambitious projects, supported by direct investment, are driving its transition into a global hydrogen technologiy hub. Investors in Rheinisches Revier are joining a groundbreaking initiative and leading the way in pioneering green technologies worldwide.
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is Europe’s go-to destination for hydrogen innovation. As Germany’s economic powerhouse, NRW boasts 460,000 jobs in energy-intensive sectors. The state’s manufacturing industry already uses 17 TWh of hydrogen annually, with demand set to soar six-fold by 2050.
NRW is paving the way for hydrogen’s pivotal role in the energy and mobility transformation. The state’s extensive hydrogen program covers the entire value chain, including Germany’s largest pipeline network at 240 kilometers, which is set to double by 2030. Plans are also underway to deploy 11,000 fuel cell trucks on its highways and 3,800 hydrogen buses in city centers.
NRW is emerging as a European leader in future technologies. Rheinisches Revier – employing 93,000 people in energy-intensive industries – plays a central role. Whether it is green electrolysis or the use of hydrogen across production, buildings and transport: Spanning 4,800 square kilometers in western NRW, a diverse hydrogen ecosystem is growing, supported by a coordinated network of innovative companies, bold local authorities and practical research. This vision is backed by strong political will, driving the development of a climate-neutral industrial location. Rheinisches Revier undoubtedly is becoming a hydrogen investment hub in Europe’s center.
© Gettyimages, Andriy Onufriyenko
Hydrogen industry investments in a European model region
Rheinisches Revier’s portfolio of companies demonstrates the region’s significant role in advancing the hydrogen industry. The European consortium REFHYNE has installed Europe’s largest hydrogen electrolyzer at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland. In Düren, HyDN GmbH is building a smaller electrolyzer to produce green hydrogen from wind and solar energy for public transport. Additionally, Brainergy Park, with a Siemens electrolyzer, generates 170,000 kilograms of green hydrogen annually, powered by solar energy from 17,000 PV modules provided by Euskirchen-based F&S Solar.
Linde Engineering is extracting hydrogen from natural gas streams in Dormagen, making full use of the region’s existing H2 transport network. NPROXX is enhancing storage infrastructure with its composite pressure vessels. Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH is constructing the largest LOHC pilot plant in Dormagen, also for green hydrogen storage. In Aachen, the FEV Group is innovating with low-emission H2 engines, and AE Driven Solutions is at the forefront of fuel cell technology. The Neumann & Esser Group covers a broad spectrum of the hydrogen value chain, designing electrolyzers, compressors, buffer storage systems and even hydrogen refueling stations.
One of the standout features of Rheinisches Revier as a hydrogen investment hub in Europe is its dynamic, business-oriented scientific landscape. This proactive environment quickly translates research into practical applications, especially in the hydrogen sector. Key contributors include Aachen University of Applied Sciences, where a team at the Jülich campus has pioneered a novel method for microbially producing hydrogen from green waste. The esteemed RWTH Aachen University, with its Centre for Sustainable Hydrogen Systems (CSHS) and FCI Fuel Cell Industrialization GmbH, plays a pivotal role in the Hydrogen Clusters4Future program, focusing on research into electrolysis, storage, distribution and utilization technologies.
Aachen is home to the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT, which is dedicated to a holistic understanding of the hydrogen economy. The Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) is also making significant contributions through its Institute for Energy and Climate Research (IEK) and the new Institute for Sustainable Hydrogen Economy. The Helmholtz Hydrogen Cluster (HC-H2) is a further example of FZJ’s commitment. Additionally, the DLR Institute of Future Fuels is developing innovative solutions for producing hydrogen cost-effectively from renewable sources.
Industry, politics, and science are joining forces through dynamic initiatives and networks, especially around Aachen. The Hydrogen Clusters4Future program is set to become the Innovation Valley for hydrogen technologies. The Hydrogen Hub Aachen unites Aachen and its surrounding districts – Düren, Euskirchen, and Heinsberg – creating a model H2 region. This region will play a crucial role in the Industrial Hydrogen Economy Future Lab of the In4Climate.RR project, supporting companies in Rheinisches Revier on their path to climate neutrality.
The Helmholtz Hydrogen Cluster (HC-H2), based at Jülich Brainergy Park, is a key player in advancing hydrogen technology. HC-H2 is focused on developing a sustainable and infrastructure-compatible hydrogen economy in Rheinisches Revier through practical, applied research. It plans to launch large-scale demonstration projects with companies and local authorities. Coordinated by the Forschungszentrum Jülich, HC-H2 will receive €860 million in funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia through 2038. This flagship project is crucial to transforming Rheinisches Revier into a hydrogen hub and a climate-neutral industrial region.
Alongside HC-H2, there is a another central component in the hydrogen transformation of Rheinisches Revier: the flagship project H2 Bedburg. In collaboration with RWE, the city of Bedburg is planning an electrolysis plant with an initial capacity of 5 MW, a green hydrogen filling station, and a fueling station. This project will serve the local economy and public transport. Additionally, several other funded projects are advancing along the hydrogen value chain.
H2REVIER
H2Revier is set to make a quantum leap in hydrogen mobility. RWTH Aachen University and the Centre for Fuel Cell Technology in Duisburg are teaming up with Neapco Europe GmbH from Düren and AE Driven Solutions GmbH from Aachen. Together, the H2Revier consortium aims to achieve cost-effective series production of fuel cell systems.
MAPEVA
Neumann & Esser plans to produce cutting-edge, modular electrolyzers. Their MAPEVA project is developing a production line that will reduce costs and create 400 new jobs.
H2HS
In the Heinsberg Economic Development Agency project, local small and medium-sized businesses are advancing the construction of an electrolyzer. The project will use the electrolyzer’s waste heat to warm buildings and supply the oxygen byproduct to a wastewater treatment plant.
Explore our hydrogen hub for your investment in Europe
Rheinisches Revier still has plenty of space for innovative companies and research institutes. Leverage your hydrogen expertise and help turn our vision of a climate-neutral industry into reality. NRW.Global Business can highlight this potential with new and dynamic opportunities in Europe’s most exciting hydrogen hub and investment region. Contact us to explore the opportunities!
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