03.07.2024 - Hydrogen

Environmentally friendly steel processing: Westfalen builds first hydrogen electrolyzer to supply ArcelorMittal France

A new chapter for the Westfalen Group's hydrogen business: As a producer and distributor of industrial gases, energy and fuels, Westfalen is building its first hydrogen electrolyzer in north-eastern France. Starting in January 2026, Westfalen’s hydrogen production facility will supply the Florange plant of international steel producer ArcelorMittal. The future cooperation has now been agreed by Matthieu Jehl, CEO ArcelorMittal France, and Dr. Thomas Perkmann, CEO Westfalen Group at a meeting at the ArcelorMittal steelwork site in Florange, France.

Westfalen’s French subsidiary has been supplying hydrogen to ArcelorMittal's steelworks since 2010, using a natural gas-based technology for the production process. When the new electrolyzer goes into operation in 2026, this hydrogen will be produced in a more environmentally friendly manner. To facilitate the direct supply of hydrogen, a new electrolyzer will be built directly on the site of the steel processing facility. The new supply contract now concluded between Westfalen and ArcelorMittal is slated to run until the 2040s. 

“The cooperation with ArcelorMittal represents a significant success for our company,” stated Westfalen CEO Dr. Thomas Perkmann. “Not only will the project enhance Westfalen’s mutually beneficial partnership with ArcelorMittal – one of our largest French customers. It also will open new doors for us in the larger hydrogen market and further strengthen our position in the industry – in France and beyond.” France is currently a key non-domestic market for the family-owned company from Münster, Germany. In total, Westfalen is planning to invest more than tens of millions in this venture.

Alongside to the new hydrogen production facilities, which will be supplied by renewable energy in the Future, Westfalen is also planning to build a new hydrogen filling station for trailer and cylinder filling nearby. “The capacity of the electrolyzer is structured in a way so that further quantities will also be available for the bulk and packaged gases market in addition to supplying the needs of the steel processing facility,” says Benjamin Bugeat, Managing Director Westfalen France.