Submit

Green Hydrogen as a Raw Material – climate-friendly Bundle of Energy

H₂ – a light element that is hard to come by. That's because hydrogen contains an extremely large amount of energy. One kilogram of it is about as energy-rich as three kilograms of gasoline or diesel. That makes hydrogen an ideal source for generating electricity and heat. At the same time, it serves as an industrial raw material, for example in plastics production. The most sensible option is to use green hydrogen that is produced in a climate-friendly way by using renewable energy.

Hydrogen is rare and highly wanted in industry. The demand has tripled since 1975 and continues to rise. However, the vast majority of H₂ is still produced in processes that are powered by climate-damaging fossil fuels. Less than 1% of the volume produced each year involves green electricity. That is set to change. For example, through the Green Deal in Europe. The plan is that green hydrogen will already be produced on a system-relevant scale at EU level from the period between 2030 and 2050.

Hydrogen – highly demanded and best produced with green electricity.

Large-scale deliveries from Australia planned

Covestro's plans are right on the cutting edge. For example, our company plans to conclude a long-term supply agreement with the Australian hydrogen pioneer Fortescue Future Industries (FFI). From 2024, up to 100,000 metric tons of green hydrogen and substances derived from it, such as green ammonia, could then be shipped annually to our sites in Asia, North America and Europe. Initially as a raw material, later probably also for energy production. Covestro could thus dispense with traditional gray hydrogen based on fossil fuels and save up to 900,000 metric tons of CO₂ per year. At the same time, we improve our customers' carbon footprint when they purchase appropriately manufactured products from us.

The production of hydrogen with renewable energy does not cause any emissions because the only by-product is steam. FFI's goal is to increase green hydrogen production to 15 million tons per year by 2030. Annual production is then expected to rise to 50 million tons in the following decade. By comparison, the EU aims to produce ten million tons of H₂ each year in a sustainable way using green power by 2030.

Support for lighthouse projects

Covestro is also driving hydrogen research and the use of green H₂ beyond the plant boundaries. Together with partners, for example, we are involved in corresponding activities as part of the German Copernicus projects. And we are supporting a special new chair for electrochemistry at RWTH Aachen in Germany, an internationally renowned university. One of the topics there is methods for making even better use of hydrogen as an energy storage medium.

Covestro is also involved in the German startup Hydrogenious, which is working on solutions for transporting and storing hydrogen. To support the young company, we are building a pilot plant on our site in Dormagen.

Recommended for you

  • Circular Economy

    Biomass as a Raw Material

    From plants to plastic? Learn more about how Covestro is deriving carbon from plants to make plastic more sustainable!

  • Circular Economy

    Waste as a Raw Material

    Plastic pollution is a huge threat to our environment, but circular economic principles can help turn waste into a resource. Discover Covestro's approach!

Get in touch with us!

Contact form image Zoe

How would you describe yourself?

Compare