Recent developments
EU policy coordination
At the European Parliament, the European Resilience Alliance for Clean Hydrogen & Derivatives launched as a CEO-led forum to coordinate deployment and demand creation across the value chain. Its white paper reports fewer than 7% of projects have reached FID, citing RFNBO complexity, high power costs, and fragmented rules. A companion release from the thyssenkrupp-backed European Resilience Alliance details recommendations: rapid RED III transposition, harmonized aviation/maritime mandates, state-backed portfolio guarantees, and EU risk-sharing for early backbone infrastructure.
Infrastructure build-out
Transmission planning advanced as Gasunie and Fluxys agreed to repurpose pipelines and create a bidirectional node near Zandvliet, linking Rotterdam and North Sea Port with Antwerp and Ghent by around 2030. In the Nordics, FEED began for the RjukanLH2 liquid hydrogen facility, a 25 MW, 10 t/day project backed by a renewable PPA, EU Innovation Fund and EU Hydrogen Bank support, and offtake from Samskip, with deliveries targeted for 2028.
eFuels market expansion
Japan’s aviation decarbonization gained capital support as Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank invested in Infinium to scale eSAF and other drop‑in eFuels from CO2 and green hydrogen, stating >90% lifecycle GHG reduction vs. fossil fuels. In Southeast Asia, eFuels SEA launched a regional platform to license Infinium’s process and develop 3–5 projects across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, targeting export potential and alignment with emerging hydrogen and carbon management policies.
Refining and hydrogen
Technip Energies won two FEEDs to debottleneck and expand Gabon’s SOGARA refinery, including a modular Hydrocracker Complex and marine facilities. Hydrogen supply in scope references proprietary SMR technology, highlighting continued use of conventional H2 for product upgrading while meeting Africa 5 sulfur standards. Added storage, kerosene sweetening, and full process integration aim to increase capacity and enable lower-sulfur fuels.
Enablers and materials
Grid flexibility progressed with Uniper and NGEN starting a 50 MW/100 MWh battery at Wilhelmshaven to support renewable integration. On materials, CHINAPLAS 2026 will feature Evonik’s PA12 and PEEK for thermal management, e‑mobility and lightweight structures, PFAS‑free processing aids, and recycling additives.