Air Liquide has announced a project to build a renewable hydrogen production unit at TotalEnergies‘ biorefinery in La Mède, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France. Under a long-term contract, the facility will help meet the hydrogen needs of the biorefinery, contributing to a new renewable hydrogen ecosystem in the Fos-sur-Mer industrial zone.
The new unit will have an annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes, utilizing recycled biogenic byproducts from the biorefinery instead of traditional fossil fuels. The hydrogen produced will primarily be used for the generation of biofuels and Sustainable Air Fuels (SAF).
Air Liquide plans to invest over 80 million euros in this facility, which is expected to begin operations in 2028. The project aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions at the biorefinery by approximately 130,000 tonnes each year.
This initiative is part of Air Liquide’s efforts to enhance its hydrogen production capabilities and strengthen its decarbonization strategy in the Fos-sur-Mer region, where it has operated for over 50 years. The company currently runs multiple air separation units and hydrogen facilities in the area.
Emilie Mouren-Renouard, a member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee, highlighted this partnership as part of the company’s commitment to supporting the energy transition by providing decarbonization solutions to industrial partners. The project aligns with Air Liquide’s strategy to address climate challenges through innovative solutions in low-carbon hydrogen and CO₂ capture technologies.
