France / The Netherlands – July 2025 – Air Liquide affirmed its final investment decision (FID) to construct ELYgator, a pioneering 200 MW renewable hydrogen production facility at the Port of Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte. This significant €500 million commitment marks a major advancement in European decarbonization efforts and bolsters the Port of Rotterdam’s trajectory toward a CO2-neutral future.
Dual-Technology Electrolyzer to Serve Key Industries
The ELYgator project will leverage an innovative design, integrating both Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Alkaline electrolysis technologies on the same site – a first of its kind for a facility of this scale. This technological approach underscores Air Liquide’s drive for efficiency and flexibility in green hydrogen production.
Once operational by the end of 2027, ELYgator will produce 23,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually. This output is strategically earmarked to serve industrial clients, notably supplying TotalEnergies’ industrial platform through a long-term contract, and support the burgeoning heavy-duty mobility sector. Air Liquide projects this facility will reduce up to 300,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year of operation.
Crucial Policy and Funding Enable Project Advancement
Air Liquide highlighted that this pivotal decision follows crucial support from the Dutch government through the OWE subsidy scheme, complementing prior backing from the European Innovation Fund and the Dutch IPCEI program. The refined regulatory framework for hydrogen utilization was also deemed key to the project’s progression.
Emilie Mouren-Renouard, Group Executive Committee member at Air Liquide, emphasized, “This investment decision is an important milestone and demonstrates our commitment to renewable hydrogen development. We firmly believe that robust, large-scale initiatives like ELYgator will deliver a real impact for the European industry and heavy-duty mobility sectors. We welcome the support from the Dutch Government, which has been instrumental in our decision to move forward with this significant decarbonization project. ELYgator illustrates our drive to develop concrete technologies and solutions that directly contribute to Europe’s ambitions towards climate neutrality by 2050.”
Bunkering Sector Poised for Green Hydrogen Supply
For the global bunkering industry, the ELYgator project at the Port of Rotterdam represents a transformative development. The substantial, localized production of renewable hydrogen significantly strengthens the supply chain for future low-carbon marine fuels. As the maritime sector accelerates its efforts to meet stringent IMO emissions targets, the availability of green hydrogen will be instrumental for direct hydrogen bunkering, or as a feedstock for green ammonia and methanol production. This initiative solidifies Rotterdam’s position as a vanguard in sustainable bunkering solutions, creating a critical hub for the energy transition of global shipping.
About the Port of Rotterdam Authority
The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest seaport and a vital gateway for global trade. The Port of Rotterdam Authority manages, operates, and develops the port and industrial area, aiming to enhance its competitive position as a logistics hub and a world-class industrial complex. Central to its mission is a profound commitment to sustainability and digitalization. The Port Authority leads the transition to sustainable energy, actively investing in and facilitating projects for green hydrogen production, carbon capture and storage, and shore power, striving to achieve a CO2-neutral port by 2050 and drive the green transition in maritime transport.
About Air Liquide
Air Liquide is a world leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, the Group serves more than 4 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter, and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the Group’s activities since its creation in 1902. Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide’s strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions.
Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition — particularly with hydrogen — and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, electronics, and high technologies. Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to more than 27 billion euros in 2024. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50, FTSE4Good and DJSI Europe indexes.
Source Air Liquide | The Port of Rotterdam