As Ursula von der Leyen prepares to run for a second term at the European Commission, around twenty electrolyser manufacturers have sent her a letter calling for greater support for production in Europe.

The letter is signed by prominent players* such as McPhy, John Cockerill, Thyssenkrupp Nucera and Siemens Energy. Following the Green Deal, they are calling for a genuine industrial plan to produce in Europe. And this is a matter of urgency, because while two-thirds of electrolyser producers are located in Europe, they are facing the devouring ambitions of China, whose market share has risen to 40% (against 10% in 2023). In addition, another competitor is emerging: India.

The European Commission is therefore being asked to ensure that jobs remain in Europe. And that means providing more resources. The letter points out that China’s biggest industry players, backed by the State, will be investing the equivalent of 4.6 billion dollars over the next 5 years, i.e. more than the 3 billion budget of the European Hydrogen Bank.

European industry players are concerned about the threat of moving from one form of dependence (on gas) to another, in this case on Chinese technology. In January 2023, most of these players had already sent a letter to the same Ursula von der Leyen asking her to support a renewable hydrogen industry in Europe.

*AEG, Agfa, Battolyser Systems, Bekaert, Genvia, Green Hydrogen Systems, Hydrogenica Corporation, H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies, Hystar, John Cockerill, McPhy, Nel, Rina, Stargate Hydrogen, Sunfire, Topsoe, Thyssenkrupp Nucera, Siemens Energy, Schaeffler, SES Hydrogen.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Mariem Ben Tili