Evonik and VoltH2 to advance hydrogen production in the Netherlands

German specialty chemicals company Evonik has signed a term sheet with Dutch energy company VoltH2 to advance green hydrogen production at the Delfzijl chemical park in the Netherlands.

Under the agreement, VoltH2 will construct a 50 MW electrolyzer near Evonik’s hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plant. Evonik will then source a portion of its hydrogen demand from the electrolyzer, which is estimated to start operations at the end of 2027.

For the interim, Evonik’s remaining hydrogen needs will continue to be provided by its own conventional on-site hydrogen production. This solution is expected to ensure uninterrupted supply until green hydrogen capacity grows to fully cover demand at all times.

Reportedly, VoltH2 will also construct a tube trailer filling station on Evonik’s premises, and the hydrogen in these trailers will be made available to VoltH2’s other customers.

As per Evonik, this collaboration aims not only to forward Evonik’s sustainability agenda, but also to form, together with VoltH2, the nucleus of a wider hydrogen network at this industrial hub.

Peter Metten, Evonik Peroxide Netherlands’ Managing Director, said: “We want to switch our production over entirely to renewable resources. By introducing green hydrogen at the Delfzijl plant, we are taking a significant step toward this goal. That’s because producing H2O2 requires three critical resources: electricity, steam, and hydrogen. Finding sustainable solutions for the first two is more straightforward. Sourcing green hydrogen is the tricky part. Fortunately, we have found in VoltH2 a partner that has the local resources, technical know-how, and vision to optimally collaborate on a cleaner, greener industry.”

André Jurres, VoltH2’s Founder and Managing Director, emphasized the importance of Delfzijl’s position in the emerging green hydrogen economy: “Thanks to this systems-integrated approach, large industrial companies like Evonik are demonstrating how to optimize the use of sustainable electricity and its natural allies, such as green hydrogen production. The long-term commitment of Evonik and VoltH2 shows the feasibility of achieving significant carbon emission reductions on a large scale in the coming years.”

Christoph Batz-Sohn, Director of Sustainable Transformation at Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line, added: “This is an example of how collaboration is the key to sustainable transformation. A greener future will require the combined expertise and commitment of players across sectors and industries. Ideally, this joint initiative with VoltH2 will set an example for further such partnerships at our other production sites around the globe.”

To note, Evonik is active in more than 100 countries around the world. In 2023, it, reportedly, generated sales of €15.3 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.66 billion.

As for VoltH2, the company focuses exclusively on the large-scale production of green hydrogen, intended for use by local industry and the transport sector.

Two production facilities are being developed in Vlissingen and Terneuzen in the Netherlands. They are already licensed and expected to be operational in 2027. Further plants are under development in Wilhelmshaven, Essen and Gelsenkirchen in Germany, as well as in Delfzijl in the Netherlands. With these six current locations, VoltH2 is said to have a portfolio with a potential production capacity of over 500 MW.