Air Liquide Secures Germany's First Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) Certification for Renewable H2

[Caribbeans]

Photo: Air Liquide

Air Liquide Secures Germany’s First Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) Certification for Renewable Hydrogen

Air Liquide has officially become the first supplier in Germany to receive Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) certification for its renewable hydrogen. This pivotal certification, granted to the hydrogen produced by the company's PEM electrolyzer "Trailblazer" located in Oberhausen, marks a significant advancement in Germany's renewable hydrogen market.

By achieving RFNBO status, Air Liquide enables its hydrogen to be officially recognized as a greenhouse gas-reducing fuel, directly assisting mobility and industrial sectors—including refineries and chemical producers—in meeting their ambitious climate objectives.

Air Liquide's Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Gilles Le Van, expressed gratitude towards all involved parties: "Our Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Gilles Le Van, thanked the dedicated Air Liquide teams, the Federal Environment Agency for their constant cooperation and DEKRA Germany for their professional and efficient support in achieving this goal."

With this certification, Air Liquide continues to set precedents and solidify its position at the forefront of Germany’s evolving hydrogen economy, remaining true to the pioneering spirit suggested by the electrolyzer’s name, "Trailblazer." more
https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/04/09/electrolyzer/air-liquide-secures-germany-s-first-rfnbo-certification-for-renewable-hydrogen

RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) certification ensures that fuels like renewable hydrogen and its derivatives meet sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction requirements. This certification, often provided by third-party voluntary schemes, verifies the origin and production methods of these fuels, ensuring they comply with EU regulations like the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Key aspects of RFNBO certification include verifying renewable energy sources, tracking the production chain, and assessing greenhouse gas emissions

No doubt some will still parrot the discredited "There's no such thing as green H2" Those aren't the people that will help the future though. Those are the people standing in the way.

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Well, it's an electrolyzer, so it's as "green" (or not) as the electricity that powers it.

That would be very hard to monitor continuously for possible departures from approved sources, as electricity is bought and sold on the open market.

Two cheers, maybe ?

[NNadir]

2. Germany is a coal dependent hellhole that has closed ammonia plants because of the cost of hydrogen.

BASF is cutting back at its main site in Germany

The company says high energy prices are forcing it to shut plants at its Ludwigshafen complex.

High energy prices have already struck a blow to European competitiveness in chemical manufacturing. They are now prompting BASF to lay off thousands of workers and shut down sections of its flagship facility in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

The company, the world’s largest chemical maker, revealed the closures when it announced 2022 financial results on Feb. 24. Sales increased 11%, to $92.5 billion, but this was because of higher selling prices. The company’s sales volumes declined by 7% last year.

BASF posted a loss of about $660 million for the year, mostly owing to charges of $6.7 billion related to its decision to withdraw its Wintershall Dea oil and gas affiliate completely from Russia. Without those charges, the firm’s profits would have been roughly flat compared to 2021...

...The company is closing one of two plants in Ludwigshafen that make ammonia, the largest consumer of natural gas as a raw material at the site. It is also shutting downstream nitrogen fertilizer facilities.

BASF is closing a plant making caprolactam, the key raw material for nylon 6. The caprolactam business had seen a buildup of capacity in recent years, especially in China, and the sharp rise in European energy prices put additional pressure on the business, BASF says...

The carbon intensity of Germany is 411 grams of CO₂ per kwh over the last 12 months. This compares with France's 38 grams CO₂ per kwh over the last 12 months.

Electricity Map.

Wasting carbon dependent electricity for the stupid idea of making hydrogen is a disgusting idea in a time of climate change, but then again, the marketing squads working to rebrand fossil fuels as "hydrogen" lack decency.

Of course, I fully understand that people working to rebrand fossil fuels hate nuclear energy. It would cut into their profits.