The multi-technology company 3M and H2UB, Europe's leading platform for open innovation across the entire H₂ value chain, have signed a cooperation agreement. As part of the partnership, 3M will contribute its expertise to support the network with technological and market-specific know-how. 3M will also consult with H2UB on the overall market strategy. 3M believes that partnerships and the associated exchange of knowledge are a key to innovation.

As a new partner of the H2UB innovation initiative in Essen , 3M will contribute its expertise and innovative solutions in the field of materials science. The multi-technology company 3M and the H2UB H₂ initiative already successfully collaborated last year, including in the area of ​​coaching start-ups. The H2UB ecosystem served 3M as a valuable source of information for identifying additional opportunities within the H₂ economy. "3M and H2UB share the common goal of promoting innovation in the H₂ economy. We believe that through this partnership, we can make real progress in expanding this important future technology," said Dr. Jens Eichler, H₂ technology architect in the 3M New Growth Ventures division.

"With 3M , we gain a strong partner who enriches our ecosystem with in-depth materials knowledge and innovative technologies and supports start-ups with practical expertise and market-ready applications. Our collaboration creates the ideal conditions to specifically accelerate innovations and bring them to industrial implementation more quickly," said Uwe Kerkmann , CEO of H2UB .

Public recognizes importance of H₂ as an energy carrier. H₂ is seen as an important component of sustainable energies in Germany. This renewable raw material has great potential for the economy and future infrastructure, as the gas can act both as a reactant and as an energy carrier. The plans to build the H₂ core network, the central H₂ infrastructure in Germany, underscore the political will to push the issue forward. According to the State of Science Insights 2025, a representative study by Morning Consult, which was conducted on behalf of 3M , the German population also sees clear potential in H₂ as an important energy carrier: 63% say they would have more confidence in a company that uses green H₂, and 49% would be more likely to buy from such a company.