Evonik has signed a term sheet with Dutch company VoltH2 to advance green H₂ production at the Delfzijl chemical park. According to the agreement, VoltH2 will construct a 50-MW electrolyzer near Evonik’s hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) plant. Evonik will then source a significant portion of its H₂ demand from the electrolyzer, which will start operations at the end of 2027. The facility will be the first green H₂ water electrolysis plant at an industrial scale in the North of the Netherlands.

For the interim, Evonik’s remaining H₂ needs will continue to be provided by its own conventional onsite H₂ production. This solution will ensure uninterrupted supply until green H₂ capacity grows to fully cover demand at all times. VoltH2 will also construct a tube trailer filling station on Evonik’s premises. The H₂ in tube trailers will be made available to VoltH2’s other customers around the clock.

The collaboration aims not only to forward Evonik’s own sustainability agenda, but also to form, together with VoltH2, the nucleus of a wider H₂ network at this important industrial hub.

Evonik Peroxide Netherlands Managing Director Peter Metten explained, “We want to switch our production over entirely to renewable resources. By introducing green H₂ at the Delfzijl plant, we are taking a significant step toward this goal.

That’s because producing H₂O₂ requires three critical resources: electricity, steam and H₂. Finding sustainable solutions for the first two is more straightforward. Sourcing green H₂ is the tricky part. Fortunately, we have found in VoltH2 a partner that has the local resources, technical know-how, and vision to optimally collaborate on a cleaner, greener industry.”

André Jurres, VoltH2 Founder and Managing Director, emphasizes the importance of Delfzijl’s unique position in the emerging green H₂ economy, “Thanks to this systems-integrated approach, large industrial companies like Evonik are demonstrating how to optimize the use of sustainable electricity and its natural allies, such as green H₂ production. The long-term commitment of Evonik and VoltH2 shows the feasibility of achieving significant carbon emission reductions on a large scale in the coming years."

“This is an example of how collaboration is the key to sustainable transformation,” added Christoph Batz-Sohn, Director of Sustainable Transformation at Evonik’s Active Oxygens business line. “A greener future will require the combined expertise and commitment of players across sectors and industries. Ideally, this joint initiative with VoltH2 will set an example for further such partnerships at our other production sites around the globe.”

The Active Oxygens business line has already implemented wide reaching measures to slash emissions from its footprint. By the end of 2024, for example, 90% of the electricity used in its production was sourced from renewables. Options to construct a large heat pump at Delfzijl for steam generation are currently being explored. The business line is also pursuing solutions for green H₂ at a number of its sites.