Heavy industry represents one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize. Steel, cement, chemicals, and refining operations require high-temperature heat and chemical feedstocks that cannot be easily replaced by direct electrification. This is where hydrogen emerges as an indispensable solution.
Why Electrification Alone Is Not Enough
While electrification has made remarkable progress in transportation and buildings, industrial processes often require temperatures exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius or use hydrogen as a chemical reagent. Battery-powered furnaces and electric arc solutions address only a fraction of industrial energy demand.
Hydrogen as Industrial Feedstock
Beyond energy, hydrogen serves as a fundamental chemical input. Ammonia production for fertilizers, methanol synthesis, and petroleum refining all depend on large volumes of hydrogen. Replacing gray hydrogen with green alternatives in these existing applications represents an immediate decarbonization opportunity.
The Path Forward
Successful industrial decarbonization through hydrogen requires three elements: cost-competitive production, reliable supply infrastructure, and seamless integration with existing processes. Companies developing next-generation hydrogen technologies are working to address all three simultaneously.