Hy2gen Germany acquires plant and project pipeline of kiwi AG

Production plant in Werlte, Germany, is currently the world’s largest operating Power-to-eMethane plant

12-Dec-2023

Hy2gen's power-to-e-methane plant in Werlte

Hy2gen

Hy2gen announced the successful acquisition of kiwi AG in Werlte, Lower Saxony, Germany. The acquisition includes what is currently the world’s largest operating power-to-eMethane plant in Werlte. The integration of kiwi AG marks an important milestone for Hy2gen, as it means the internationally active company is now entering into the production of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives, such as renewable natural gas (RNG) and renewable liquefied natural gas (LNG). This also gives Hy2gen access to a pipeline of further projects with a total capacity of 300MW for electrolysis and methanation. Hy2gen now has the opportunity to utilise kiwi AG’s already established industry connections and expand them further in order to maintain its position at the forefront of the renewable hydrogen market.

Established production processes and existing expertise remain essential

“Today is an important day for Hy2gen AG as we are now starting to produce hydrogen molecules,” announces Hy2gen’s proud CEO, Cyril Dufau-Sansot. “kiwi AG can look back on ten years of experience in the hydrogen market, in which time they have built and operated a truly pioneering plant. The integration of kiwi AG into Hy2gen AG allows us to benefit from their technical expertise and brings us a lot closer to our goal of becoming an independent market leader in the production of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.”

Matthias Lisson, Hy2gen’s Country Manager for the DACH region, also shared his views: “I am delighted that the first plant which we are using for production in Germany, in Werlte, is currently the world’s largest operating power-to-eMethane plant. The acquisition of the plant also enables us to expand our product portfolio from renewable hydrogen, renewable ammonia, e-methanol, e-methane and e-kerosene to include renewable natural gas and liquefied natural gas. We have already received a commitment from our renowned partner, Plug Power, to purchase the full production volume. It is important for me to mention that production processes will be maintained and that we will continue to rely on the expertise of all our employees.”

Pioneering power-to-gas project in Lower Saxony

The kiwi AG plant in Werlte, formerly Audi e-Gas, is located not far from another Hy2gen project in Friesoythe. It is expected that the production of renewable hydrogen and renewable methanol, which is mainly used to decarbonise shipping, will begin in Friesoythe in the fourth quarter of 2027 under the project name NAUTILUS. Both sites in the north-west of Lower Saxony are strategically very important given their proximity to various North Sea ports. This ensures rapid product sales to international customers.

In 2013, the plant in Werlte, then managed by the Audi e-Gas project, was the first of its kind. In 2021, operations were transferred to what is now kiwi AG. The plant is still considered the world’s largest operating power-to-eMethane plant today. As a synthetic gas, eMethane is one of the products that can be produced using the power-to-gas process. Power-to-gas describes an energy industry concept in which hydrogen is produced using electrolysis and electricity.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/1182259/hy2gen-germany-acquires-plant-and-project-pipeline-of-kiwi-ag.html