Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies has reached a significant milestone in the development of the world’s largest hydrogenation plant designed for the safe and efficient storage of hydrogen using benzyltoluene (LOHC-BT). The company has officially received the building and operating permit under §4 of the German Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) for Project ‘Hector’, to be located at Chempark Dormagen in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Major Regulatory Milestone for Innovative Hydrogen Storage
The application, submitted in May 2023 to the District Government of Cologne, successfully passed all regulatory review stages, including public consultation and hearings. This approval is a landmark moment for the commercial deployment of Hydrogenious LOHC’s innovative liquid organic hydrogen carrier technology, affirming its readiness for industrial-scale implementation. The achievement reflects the dedication of the Hydrogenious team and the strong collaboration with project partners Covestro Deutschland AG and Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG.
Chempark Dormagen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany © www.sport-fotografie.de
Project Oversight and Future Operations
LOHC Industrial Solutions NRW GmbH, a subsidiary of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies based in Neuss, will oversee the management, construction, and operation of the facility. Commercial commissioning is expected by the end of 2027. Once operational, the plant will store up to 1,800 tonnes of hydrogen annually in LOHC-BT, ensuring safe and long-term storage.
The facility will be located on Covestro’s site at Chempark Dormagen. Covestro, a shareholder in Hydrogenious LOHC since 2019, intends to supply hydrogen produced from its chlorine electrolysis plants, qualified as RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin), for the hydrogenation process.
Driving Innovation Through Scientific Collaboration
In addition to its industrial objectives, Project ‘Hector’ will also support scientific research aimed at optimising LOHC technology. The Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (HI ERN), part of Forschungszentrum Jülich, is a key partner, focusing on catalyst development, quality assurance, and material integrity. The project is backed by EUR 9 million in funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia’s progress.nrw initiative, with HI ERN receiving approximately EUR 2 million for research contributions.
Creating a Resilient Hydrogen Supply Chain
Following commissioning, the Dormagen-based plant will integrate into Hydrogenious’ IPCEI project ‘Green Hydrogen @ Blue Danube’, facilitating hydrogen transport to Southern Bavaria via a release plant in the Ingolstadt region. The overarching ‘LOHC Link’ initiative aims to create a robust green hydrogen supply chain—one that offers an effective solution for regions without direct access to ports or pipelines.
Leadership Perspectives
Dr. Andreas Lehmann, CEO of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, stated:
“The official approval of the storage plant is a significant achievement for our team and partners. It demonstrates the viability of our LOHC technology on an industrial scale and marks an important step forward in our mission to advance the hydrogen economy. We are grateful for the support of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and our partners and look forward to the progress of this groundbreaking project.”
Dr.-Ing. Stefan Bürkle, COO of Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, added:
“Realising the world’s first commercial, end-to-end LOHC-BT value chain is both a challenge and an opportunity. We are now preparing to enter the FEED and EPCm phase for both the ‘Hector’ storage plant and the ‘Blue Danube’ release plant. With our partners, we are confident in delivering a pioneering contribution to the future of clean energy supply.”
Project ‘Hector’ stands as a major advancement for hydrogen infrastructure in Europe and a model for future green energy logistics based on safe, scalable liquid hydrogen storage.
for more information visit www.hydrogenious.net
