Asahi Kasei launches hydrogen demonstration project in Herten

Building block for the development of a system for large-scale production of green hydrogen

On Friday, April 27, 2018, Asahi Kasei Europe launched a demonstration project for the production of green hydrogen at the h2herten Hydrogen Competence Center in Herten. The project simulates the production of hydrogen from wind energy and contributes to the development of a production system for green hydrogen.

Asahi Kasei is stepping up its activities in the field of hydrogen production in Europe. The Japanese technology company is a leading supplier of chlor-alkali electrolysis systems, which are already used in 126 production plants in 26 countries worldwide. Based on chlor-alkali electrolysis, Asahi Kasei has developed an alkaline water electrolysis system that can be adapted to fluctuating energy input from renewable energy sources. In addition, it features high conversion efficiency in transforming electricity into hydrogen and can be upgraded to 10-megawatt systems. Hydrogen can therefore be produced in large quantities with just one plant.

On April 27, 2018, Asahi Kasei Europe, Asahi Kasei’s operational European headquarters, launched a demonstration project with an alkaline water electrolyser in the hydrogen city of Herten, North Rhine-Westphalia. The new plant simulates the production of hydrogen from electrical power generated by wind energy. The joint project with the h2herten Hydrogen Competence Center is planned for one year and contributes to the development of a system for large-scale production of green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced exclusively by using electricity from renewable energy sources. From the outset, the project has been continuously and intensively supported by NRW.INVEST, the state business development agency, and its Japanese subsidiary NRW Japan K.K., as well as by the EnergyAgency.NRW.

Fred Toplak, Mayor of the City of Herten, on the project: “The infrastructure at the h2herten Hydrogen Competence Center offers Asahi Kasei Europe an ideal environment for the set-up and system integration of alkaline water electrolysis. We see the cooperation with Asahi Kasei Europe as exemplary for further project initiatives with companies in future energy sectors to continuously expand the center.”

Hideki Tsutsumi, Managing Director of Asahi Kasei Europe: “The energy industry in Europe is changing dramatically, and both new storage technologies and production technologies for green energy are in strong demand. Asahi Kasei’s alkaline water electrolyser is a solution to these challenges. We are proud to contribute to this change together with h2herten as a strong local partner.”

Asahi Kasei Europe expands cooperation with European partners
In Europe, and in Germany in particular, with its ambitious targets for reducing CO2 emissions, the phase-out of nuclear energy by 2022, and the high share of renewable energy in the power supply, interest in hydrogen has increased significantly—not only as an energy storage medium (power-to-gas), but also as an important feedstock for the production of alternative fuels (power-to-fuel).

Asahi Kasei has already successfully carried out long-term demonstration projects for hydrogen production in Japan. The alkaline water electrolysis demonstration project in Herten is the company’s second European project aimed at developing an electrolysis system for the production of green hydrogen.

As early as November 14, 2017, Asahi Kasei Europe announced its participation in the European joint project ALIGN-CCUS. The project is designed for three years and aims to transform six industrial hubs in Europe into economically strong and low-CO2 regions by 2025.

Asahi Kasei Europe, as the operational European headquarters of Asahi Kasei Corporation, is a member of Working Group 4 of the ALIGN-CCUS project together with other partners. The focus of Working Group 4 is on the design, set-up and implementation of a unique project for CO2 capture and conversion in an industrial environment.

About Asahi Kasei Corporation
Asahi Kasei Corporation is a global technology group with three business segments: Material, Homes and Health Care. The Material segment includes fibers & textiles, petrochemicals, high-performance polymers, high-performance materials, consumer products, battery separators and electronic devices. The Homes segment offers building materials through to finished houses on the Japanese market. The Health Care segment includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and equipment and systems for acute and intensive care medicine. With around 34,000 employees worldwide, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries.
“Creating for Tomorrow”. With this slogan, the Asahi Kasei Group refers to the shared mission of all its companies: to help people around the world live and reside better lives through sustainable products and technologies. For more information, please visit www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/asahi/en/.

Photo: Asahi Kasei Europe / Mari Kusakari