Recent developments
Hydrogen production advances
Hydrogen logistics progressed with Air Liquide launching the first industrial-scale ammonia cracking pilot unit at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, converting 30 t/d of ammonia to hydrogen and validating carrier-based imports. Austria expanded green supply with OMV and Masdar forming a JV to build a 140 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer plant to decarbonize the Schwechat refinery, targeting 2027 operations.
Hydrogen in fuels and shipping
In North America, NXTClean Fuels selected Topsoe; its HydroFlex, SynCOR, and H2bridge technologies underpin a large SAF and renewable diesel project at Port Westward, with FID pending and start-up expected by 2029. For maritime, DNV granted AiP for Hycamite’s Thermo-Catalytic Decomposition, enabling onboard hydrogen from LNG with solid carbon byproducts.
Capacity and efficiency
Vietnam’s industrial gases capacity will grow via Cái Mép Industrial Gases Co. Ltd., a Messer–PVChem JV planning a 200,000 t/y CAS plant (~$35 million), construction from late 2026 and start-up end‑2028. The design integrates cold energy from LNG regasification to reduce electricity and cooling water use in air separation.
Gas supply and security
Regional supply diversification advanced as ORLEN and Naftogaz agreed three LNG cargoes in Q1 2026, contributing to deliveries exceeding 300 mcm to Ukraine by 2026 via regasified American LNG. In South Africa, Sasol outlined a Methane Rich Gas (MRG) supply solution from Secunda for 2028–2030, contingent on NERSA price approval, while pursuing LNG import options for longer‑term demand.