Recent developments
Policy and demand
EU policy advanced financing and demand for low‑carbon inputs. The European Commission’s Clean Energy Investment Strategy aims to mobilize capital and accelerate infrastructure. It also outlines a Strategy for Small Modular Reactors. Separately, the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act introduces ‘Made in EU’ and low‑carbon procurement rules across strategic sectors, including chemicals.
Hydrogen and e‑fuels
Projects advanced across the value chain: INA progressed a 10 MW electrolyzer at the Rijeka Refinery Upgrade Project; China created a Standardization Technical Committee for the hydrogen field; and Topsoe opened a European SOEC manufacturing facility. Logistics pilots included an ADR-certified hydrogen truck. Axens and Airbus partnered on SAF, while hydrogen, ammonia, urea, and methanol technologies in West Africa advanced and Gasunie completed the hydrogen network in the Rotterdam port area.
Circularity and materials
Recovery and reuse of PGMs and ionomers from PEM fuel cells and electrolysers were demonstrated by Johnson Matthey and Syensqo. EIC backing targets battery resilience via Altris’ sustainable sodium‑ion battery electrodes. Industrialize the recycling of critical metals from batteries is Mecaware’s focus. Bio‑ and renewable gases progressed through the French Biomethane Production Certificates scheme and ABE fermentation scale‑up. Lightweight solar panels extended rooftop use.
Renewables for industry
RWE confirmed Vestas V236‑15 MW turbines for Vanguard East and a power purchase agreement with Munich Airport. Iberdrola added the Ararat Wind Farm and enhanced forecasting with the MeteoFlow platform. Grid and onsite supply were reinforced by Tyrvää hydropower modernization, Sinopec’s South China photovoltaic project serving Beihai Refinery, and Carbon Centric modular CCS.
Supply and finance
North Sea oil and gas discoveries and ORLEN’s gas discovery in the Sleipner Area support European feedstocks. Uniper secured long‑term gas supply contracts, while MOL and Slovnaft filed a complaint against JANAF for monopoly abuse. Capital plans featured Repsol’s 2028 investments, Aramco’s FY 2025 results with gas expansion, and Neste’s EUR 700 million green bond for Rotterdam renewables.