Air Products boosts Rotterdam’s energy transition

The energy transition in Rotterdam is in full swing. Companies, research and knowledge institutes and governmental bodies in Rotterdam actively collaborate in developing new solutions and technologies to push the energy transition forward. Hydrogen is pivotal to these collective efforts. Recently, Air Products announced the build of a second hydrogen liquefaction plant in Rotterdam’s Botlek area, boosting Rotterdam’s and Europe’s energy transition efforts by doubling the current liquid hydrogen capacity.

Air Products is a leading industrial gases company with more than 80 years of experience. The company has been active in the Netherlands since 1967 and has developed into the world’s largest producer of hydrogen, with 60 years of experience in hydrogen and the development of hydrogen technologies. The company designs, builds, owns and operates large projects around the world, including blue and green hydrogen production projects.

Contributing to the energy transition

As industrial gas company, Air Products is heavily involved with the energy transition. Paul Hoogeveen, director Tonnage & Gas at Air Products explains: “We believe that hydrogen is at the heart of the energy transition because of its potential to decarbonize “hard-to-abate sectors”, such as industry and heavy transport. As an energy carrier, hydrogen offers a complementary option for storing and transporting energy, with low environmental impact. In particular, green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy, will create a hugely important source of sustainable energy value in the future. Many countries, including the Netherlands, currently lack the resources to produce enough renewable energy to meet their needs. Even if we fill the entire North Sea with wind turbines, we will not be able meet future demand for green hydrogen. Therefore, in addition to locally produced hydrogen, importing renewable hydrogen from areas where the wind blows hard and the sun shines bright, provides a solution and helps diversify energy sources and the security of supply. Air Products plans to import large quantities of hydrogen from around the world, which includes the objective to supply green hydrogen to the Port of Rotterdam by 2026.”

Hydrogen is at the heart of the energy transition because of its potential to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, such as heavy road transport. Screen capture from drone video by Video Agency

We believe that hydrogen is at the heart of the energy transition because of its potential to decarbonize “hard-to-abate sectors”.

From production to distribution to hydrogen fueling stations, Air Products delivers a complete service to its customers, offering a dependable supply of hydrogen, leading technology and equipment, and proven expertise. The company continues to drive innovation and sustainability with advanced technologies, which also enable others. For example, Air Products was the first liquefier for NASA and has been supplying and operating hydrogen refueling stations for more than 25 years.

Second liquefaction plant in Rotterdam

In September 2022, Air Products announced a second hydrogen liquefaction plant to be constructed in Rotterdam’s Botlek area, an industrial cluster within Rotterdam’s port area with a conglomerate of large industrial companies and logistics operations. The new plant should be operational in 2025 and will double the liquid hydrogen capacity of Europe, making it a major milestone and a great addition to Air Products’ hydrogen capacities in Europe. Hydrogen produced here will supply increased demands from high tech industries as well as the mobility market.

Current and future investments

Air Products’ expansion and investments in Rotterdam are logical, states Paul: “The energy transition in Rotterdam is in full swing. Rotterdam is Europe’s largest energy transit port with a high demand for hydrogen and the ambition to become Europe’s hydrogen hub. Moreover, the port area and its industry have an ambitious sustainability strategy with commitment to hydrogen production, transport infrastructure, import and applications in industry and transport. The city and port area offer strategic access for receiving green ammonia from large-scale green hydrogen production locations operated by Air Products and its partners from projects around the world. Green hydrogen and green ammonia will be processed and distributed to markets within Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.”

The energy transition in Rotterdam is in full swing. Rotterdam is Europe's largest energy transit port (…) with the ambition to become Europe's hydrogen hub.

Air Products’ plans and ambitions don’t stop there. “We keep investing in Rotterdam, contributing to the port’s energy transition. A key example is the world-scale liquid hydrogen plant. Another example is the Rotterdam green hydrogen refueling station. This project involves the realisation of the largest hydrogen filling station in the Netherlands, focused on hydrogen in heavy road transport. Air Products will supply and operate the filling station in the Botlek area, providing green hydrogen efficiently and safely. Lastly, we are a launching customer for the Porthos Carbon Capture and Storage project, which aims to make possible economically attractive and climate-friendly manufacturing of hydrogen for Rotterdam’s basic industries.”

Photo: Aerial shot of the Botlek area, where Air Products will open its second hydrogen liquefaction plant.

Beneficial business climate

Rotterdam holds important advantages for entrepreneurs and businesses active in energy and related industries, says Paul. “Rotterdam offers one of the best organized industrial infrastructures of any global region, allowing efficient development and operation of highly integrated manufacturing value chains, with access to world class logistics connecting to Europe and the world. Not only that, the city has a good reputation for getting things done. Take, for instance, public-private partnerships. These are key in accelerating the energy transition. We need each other to develop a supportive regulatory framework and right incentives to enable green investments. Rotterdam Partners and the municipality are important in bringing both worlds together and enhance meaningful collaboration on challenges, such as certification and safety of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers.”

Photo: Air Products separation unit and bulk trailer. Photos by Air Products.

Rotterdam offers one of the best organized industrial infrastructures of any global region (…) and has a good reputation for getting things done.

More than just a business location

For Paul, Rotterdam is more than just the location of his company. “After travelling the world, Rotterdam has become my hometown for the last 20 years. It is an astonishingly action-packed and dynamic city, and for its relatively small size, well able to compete with any global city in terms of quality of life. If I can give newcomers or visitors one recommendation, a ‘must-do’, it would be to take a boat tour through the port area, which offers an amazing range of activities day and night.”

Photos: Air Products, Danny Cornelissen, Video Agency