- The electrolyzer, built with Siemens Energy, can produce up to one metric ton of hydrogen per hour.
- Construction took around two years, with funding of €124.3 million, including €37.3 million from Rhineland-Palatinate.
- BASF invested approximately €25 million in the Hy4CHem project.
- Hydrogen is used for ammonia, methanol, and vitamins production, previously made via natural gas-based methods.
Project Overview
BASF has commissioned Germany's largest proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer at its Ludwigshafen site. The electrolyzer, developed in collaboration with Siemens Energy, has a connected load of 54 megawatts and can produce up to one metric ton of hydrogen per hour. This project aims to produce zero-carbon hydrogen, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the site by up to 72,000 metric tons annually.
Funding and Investment
The construction of the electrolyzer took approximately two years, with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the State of Rhineland-Palatinate. The total funding amounted to €124.3 million, with €37.3 million provided by the Rhineland-Palatinate government. BASF contributed around €25 million to the project, which is part of the Hy4CHem initiative, selected under the IPCEI Hydrogen expression of interest procedure.
Integration and Impact
The electrolyzer is integrated into the Ludwigshafen site's production and infrastructure, making it unique in its interface with a chemical production environment. The hydrogen produced is fed into the site's hydrogen Verbund network, serving as a raw material for various production facilities. This development supports the market ramp-up of chemical products with a reduced carbon footprint and contributes to the hydrogen economy in the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region.
Applications and Future Plans
Hydrogen produced at the site is used in the production of ammonia, methanol, and vitamins. Previously, hydrogen was primarily generated through natural gas-based steam reforming. The new electrolyzer marks a significant step in transforming hydrogen production technology, aligning with broader efforts to decarbonize the chemical industry and secure industrial jobs.
