BASF has inaugurated Germany’s largest proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer at its Ludwigshafen site, a major step toward decarbonizing industrial production. With a 54-megawatt capacity, the facility will produce up to one metric ton of green hydrogen per hour, supporting BASF’s commitment to low-carbon manufacturing and the broader hydrogen economy.
A Breakthrough in Industrial Hydrogen Integration
Developed in collaboration with Siemens Energy, the electrolyzer is fully integrated into BASF’s chemical production infrastructure—a world first. Its 72 electrolysis stacks use renewable electricity to generate hydrogen, which is fed into BASF’s hydrogen Verbund network for chemical production and mobility applications.
🔹 Annual CO₂ savings: Up to 72,000 metric tons
🔹 Hydrogen output: Up to 8,000 metric tons per year
🔹 Funding: €124.3 million from German and state governments, including €37.3 million from Rhineland-Palatinate
🔹 BASF investment: €25 million
Strategic Support for Hydrogen Economy Development
The electrolyzer is part of the Hy4Chem project, selected under the IPCEI Hydrogen program. It enables BASF to replace fossil-based hydrogen, currently produced via natural gas steam reforming, with zero-emission hydrogen.
🔹 Katja Scharpwinkel, BASF Board Member:
“The electrolyzer helps us support our customers’ climate goals while advancing the transformation of our Ludwigshafen site. Government support has been crucial in making this milestone possible.”
🔹 Alexander Schweitzer, Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate:
“This is a milestone for the hydrogen economy in Germany and Europe. BASF is proving how energy-intensive industries can transition sustainably while remaining globally competitive.”
🔹 Udo Philipp, State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action:
“This flagship project demonstrates how hydrogen can be integrated into industrial production and contribute to climate targets.”
🔹 Katrin Eder, Rhineland-Palatinate Minister for Climate Protection, Energy, and Mobility:
“BASF’s commitment to green hydrogen is key to achieving climate goals. This electrolyzer represents an important step toward reducing reliance on fossil energy sources.”
Advancing Green Hydrogen for Industry and Mobility
Hydrogen is essential for ammonia, methanol, and vitamin production, and its zero-emission production will help BASF and its customers meet climate targets. The Ludwigshafen electrolyzer also supports the hydrogen economy in the Rhine-Neckar region, reinforcing BASF’s leadership in sustainable industrial transformation.
