Air Liquide will provide Sinopec with its hydrogen supply chain expertise, from production and storage to distribution, in order to provide competitive hydrogen supply solutions to the Chinese clean mobility markets.

“We are delighted to strengthen our long-term partnership with Sinopec in order to accelerate the rollout of concrete solutions for the development of hydrogen energy infrastructure in China,” Benoît Potier, Air Liquide Chairman and CEO, said.

“In the green and low carbon transition of China, we believe that hydrogen will play an important role…”

“This initiative represents an important milestone for hydrogen mobility in this major country, home to the largest automotive market in the world.”

“This partnership also illustrates Air Liquide’s contribution to the challenge of the energy transition and clean mobility by offering alternative energy solution, in line with the group’s climate objectives.”

DAI Houliang, Chairman of Sinopec, added, “Sinopec strives for a sustainable energy future for China and the world with our mission of ‘better energy for better living’.”

“In the green and low carbon transition of China, we believe that hydrogen will play an important role and we are able to contribute to the hydrogen energy development in China, together with our distinguished partners like Air Liquide.”

A member of the Hydrogen Council since September 2018, Sinopec adheres to its vision that hydrogen is key to foster the energy transition.

In view of the rapid development of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in China, Air Liquide and Sinopec are aligned on the need to develop a hydrogen energy infrastructure network.

According to the study Overview of hydrogen and fuel cell developments in China, China’s energy security is challenged by the increasing need for energy and quick depletion of fossil fuels, while cities are struggling with unhealthy levels of pollution.

Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources and help diversify China’s energy system, which is currently dominated by coal and dependent on imported oil and gas resources.

Since 2010, China has not only become the world’s largest energy user, but also the largest producer of hydrogen, generating roughly 20-22 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2018.

To gain a better understanding of China’s plans for hydrogen, H2 View sat down with Chen Wei, from the China International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Conference and Exhibition (CHFCE).