Hy4Chem: Decarbonization of the chemical industry
The Hy4Chem project is a major initiative by BASF and Siemens Energy to promote the hydrogen economy and decarbonize chemical production. In 2025 at its Ludwigshafen site, BASF has commission a 54-megawatt proton exchange membrane electrolyser (PEM) directly integrated into the production and infrastructure. The electrolyser, which was the largest of its kind in Germany at the time of commissioning, produces up to 8,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year. The electricity required comes exclusively from renewable energy sources.
The generated green hydrogen will primarily be used as a raw material in BASF’s production processes, which will contribute to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. The electrolyser has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at BASF’s main plant by up to 72,000 tonnes per year, thereby providing the impetus for the ramp-up of products with a reduced carbon footprint.
In addition, some of the hydrogen will be used for transportation applications in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region. The Hy4Chem project represents a decisive step towards a sustainable and climate-friendly future by paving the way for the widespread use of green hydrogen and driving industrial decarbonization.