Ineos and Hyundai to partner on hydrogen production
Chemicals giant Ineos has partnered with Korean automaker Hyundai to establish a “hydrogen value chain” in Europe.
They will also work to facilitate public and private sector projects focused on the development of a “hydrogen value chain” in Europe.
The agreement includes an evaluation of Hyundai’s proprietary fuel cell system for the Ineos Grenadier 4×4; the company marked the world’s first mass manufacture of fuel cell EVs in 2013.
“Ineos’ move into the development of a fuel cell electric vehicle and hydrogen ecosystem marks yet another milestone towards sustainable and clean transportation,” said Saehoon Kim, head of the fuel cell centre at Hyundai. “Hyundai believes this will provide an important low-carbon option across a wide range of sectors.”
“We also hope our decades-long expertise in hydrogen fuel cell work in synergy with Ineos’ expertise in the field of chemistry to realise the mass production of green hydrogen and fuel cells for the Grenadier.”
Ineos technology director Peter Williams commented: “The agreement between Ineos and Hyundai presents both companies with new opportunities to extend a leading role in the clean hydrogen economy. Evaluating new production processes, technology, and applications combined with our existing capabilities puts us in a unique position to meet emerging demand for affordable, low-carbon energy sources and the needs of demanding 4×4 owners in the future.”
Ineos recently launched a new business to develop clean hydrogen capacity across Europe; according to the company, its experience in storage and handling of hydrogen and its expertise in electrolysis technology puts it in a good position to accelerate progress in this sector.
Ineos currently produces 300,000 tons of hydrogen per year, mainly as a by-product of its chemical manufacturing processes.
Last week, the UK government announced some details of its 10-point plan for a “green industrial revolution”. One of these points is to work with industry to generate 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030 for industry, transport, power, and homes, and to develop the first town heated entirely by hydrogen by the end of the decade.
Hydrogen has been cited by the independent Committee on Climate Change as a credible option for helping to decarbonise the UK’s energy sector, although stated that its future role depends on the government committing to a low-carbon heat strategy.
