The conference room at the h2herten user center was well filled.

Informative films at the New Year’s reception

On January 28, 2026, more than sixty members of h2-netzwerk-ruhr e.V. gathered at the h2herten user center for an exciting New Year’s reception. In addition to the traditional introduction of new members (this time including GSI Gesellschaft für Schweißtechnik international mbH, Serto GmbH, Felco GmbH, and Turner & Townsend GmbH), there was a special highlight: Managing Director Dr. Désirée Schulte presented ten short image films that members had produced over the past few weeks for the network’s LinkedIn presence to showcase their companies or institutions. This small “movie night” was not only entertaining but also very informative. Those who could not attend on January 28 will soon be able to watch the professionally designed videos one by one on LinkedIn.

Following a welcome address by Denise Krause, Head of Economic Development for the City of Herten, the evening was opened by the network’s Chairman, Dr. Thomas Kattenstein. He took a look at the hydrogen value chain and assessed the status of various dimensions—from the availability of green hydrogen through electrolysis and imports, to the status of the core and distribution networks, as well as current market developments and the state of regulation. Kattenstein chose a traffic light system to evaluate the progress of individual developments. Of the six categories he presented, he assigned yellow to three (with a trend toward green), a clear green to one, and red to two. The red light primarily concerned the still very hesitant demand and general market development, which the hydrogen economy has been waiting for for several years now. Overall, however, the outlook provided by Thomas Kattenstein was positive and intended to leave the participants of the New Year’s reception looking forward to the start of the new year with optimism.

Désirée Schulte also provided information on the current year’s busy program, which continues as early as February 19, 2026, with a members’ evening at Felco in Recklinghausen, before this year’s General Assembly takes place at TÜV Nord in Essen on March 19, 2026.

At the conclusion of the official program, representatives of the new members posed with the attending board members of the network. (f.l.t.r.:) Julia Nepicks, Prof. Frank Obenaus, Armin Malasch, Thomas Kattenstein, Karina Sydekum, Gregor Evers, Florian Krauss, Désirée Schulte, Miguel Perez Quesada
At the conclusion of the official program, representatives of the new members posed with the attending board members of the network.
(f.l.t.r.:) Julia Nepicks, Prof. Frank Obenaus, Armin Malasch, Thomas Kattenstein, Karina Sydekum, Gregor Evers, Florian Krauss, Désirée Schulte, Miguel Perez Quesada
In an obviously good mood, Dr. Thomas Kattenstein presented his positive outlook on the development of the hydrogen economy.
In an obviously good mood, Dr. Thomas Kattenstein presented his positive outlook on the development of the hydrogen economy.