British company joins Belgian project to create hydrogen network in Antwerp

The British chemical company Ineos has signed an agreement with the Belgian energy infrastructure group Fluxys to participate in a feasibility study for the creation of an open hydrogen network in Antwerp. 

Ineos is the first industrial player to sign such an agreement with Fluxys. Other companies in the port of Antwerp should also be able to connect to this network.

The European Commission sees hydrogen as essential in its strategy to become carbon neutral. Hydrogen is seen as an alternative to fossil fuels. 

Fluxys wants to match demand and supply for this energy source within Belgian industrial clusters. For Ineos, this is a practical bonus, as hydrogen is an important raw material for the chemical industry.

“A network with open access to which everyone can connect on an equal footing is most certainly necessary”, comments Raphaël De Winter from Fluxys. "We also ensure connections between different industrial clusters and abroad. We will conclude the contracts at the beginning of 2023, then the construction will start."

Ineos wants to use this future hydrogen network as part of its Project ONE, an investment of three billion euros in two propylene and ethylene manufacturing plants. 

Environmental advocates, however, denounce that these factories will have a big negative impact on the climate.

(VIV)

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© BELGA PHOTO (JASPER JACOBS) Fluxys Director Business Development & Innovation Raphael De Winter during UK-Belgian event in London last month