- Evonik is investing in a pilot electrolyzer in Herne to produce green hydrogen for isophorone diamine (IPDA).
- The project runs from the end of 2022 until mid-2025.
- The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the project with €9.3 million.
- The electrolyzer could avoid 12,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Project Overview
Evonik is investing in a pilot electrolyzer at its Herne site in Germany to produce green hydrogen, a key raw material for isophorone diamine (IPDA), used in rotor blades for wind turbines. Siemens Energy is collaborating to research the industrial application of this new electrolysis technology. The project began at the end of 2022 and will run until mid-2025, with funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Funding and Investment
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is providing €9.3 million in funding for the H2annibal project. Evonik plans to invest a total of €700 million in sustainable production processes and infrastructure by 2030, with the Herne hydrogen electrolysis being a key component.
Technological Innovation
The project aims to replace fossil-based hydrogen with green hydrogen produced on-site using a PEM electrolyzer from Siemens Energy, powered by renewable energy. This electrolyzer has a rated power of 8 MW and could meet up to 45% of the hydrogen and 100% of the oxygen required at the Herne site. The electrolysis process splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, potentially avoiding 12,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Industrial Application
Evonik and Siemens Energy are testing this new electrolysis technology in a complex, integrated production system typical of the chemical industry. The Herne site, formerly a coal mine, is now a model for a chemical park with fluctuating, demand-driven hydrogen requirements. This project represents a significant step in reducing CO2 emissions and ensuring a sustainable hydrogen and oxygen supply for production facilities.
