The French hydrogen producer Lhyfe has successfully conducted initial tests on the combustion of green hydrogen in industrial high-temperature processes. The trials took place in the ceramics industry in the Spanish region of Valencia. In the process, fossil natural gas was gradually replaced by green hydrogen. According to Lhyfe, only the burners needed to be replaced.
The tests were carried out using a mixing system developed by Lhyfe. This so-called “Mixing Kit” allows for the gradual blending of hydrogen with natural gas, up to 100 percent hydrogen. According to the company, the system is suitable for industrial applications with combustion temperatures between 400 and 1,550 degrees Celsius. Potential areas of application include not only the ceramics industry but also the cement, steel, glass and non-ferrous metal industries.
“These combustion tests with up to 100 percent green hydrogen represent an important milestone for Lhyfe,” says Frédéric Naudi, Industry Key Account Manager at Lhyfe. “We can now deploy this system in many industries that burn fossil fuels.”
First delivery to Spain
As part of this project, Lhyfe delivered green hydrogen to Spain for the first time. Within three weeks, three tonnes of hydrogen were transported to the Valencia region. The hydrogen was produced at Lhyfe’s site in Bessières (Haute-Garonne), France, which has been in operation since 2024 and has a production capacity of up to two tonnes of green hydrogen per day (5 MW). For transport, Lhyfe used its own fleet of around 70 large hydrogen containers.
Spain is considered a strategic market for Lhyfe. The company has had offices in Madrid and Barcelona since 2022. In Vallmoll (Tarragona), Lhyfe is planning another project with an installed capacity of 15 MW. Starting in 2027, the plant is expected to produce up to five tonnes of green hydrogen per day. It was selected as part of the Spanish funding program “H2 Pioneros” and will receive funding of 14 million euros. The aim is to decarbonize industrial applications, particularly in the chemical industry, but also in the mobility sector.
“Spain offers favorable conditions for green hydrogen: political support, funding mechanisms, abundant renewable energy and an industry that wants to transform,” says Franz Bechtold, Head of Sales for Lhyfe in Spain. “For some sectors, it’s about replacing grey hydrogen with green hydrogen. For others – such as the ceramics industry – the combustion process needs to be adapted.”
Lhyfe was founded in 2021 as one of the first European producers of green hydrogen. The company currently operates several production sites in Europe and develops customized solutions for industry and mobility.
