Air Liquide has announced the construction in Canada of the largest PEM (Proton-Exchange Membrane) electrolyzer in the world for the production of carbon-free hydrogen.
With a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW), the investment reflects the company’s commitment to hydrogen energy and its goal to be a major player in the supply of carbon-free hydrogen.
The new electrolyzer will increase by 50 per cent the current capacity of Air Liquide’s hydrogen facility located in Bécancour, Québec. Utilizing Hydrogenics technology, this will be the world’s largest and will serve the increasing demand for carbon-free hydrogen. Air Liquide says that Bécancour’s proximity to major industrial markets in Canada and the United States will help ensure North America’s supply of low-carbon hydrogen for both industry and mobility usage.
This new production unit will reduce carbon intensity compared to the traditional hydrogen production process. Emissions of nearly 27,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to those of about 10,000 sedan cars per year, will be prevented.
Michael J. Graff, executive vice president and executive committee member of Air Liquide S.A., and chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide Holdings Inc., said: “This investment will help further contribute towards carbon-free hydrogen supply for Air Liquide industrial and mobility markets in North America and complement the recently announced hydrogen investment for the energy markets in the western U.S. Both are reflective of the Group’s Climate Objectives: to reduce the carbon intensity of its activities and work with customers towards a sustainable industry and the development of a low-carbon society.”
