Green H2 Revolution: Andritz AG's Erfurt Gigafactory Unveiled for Hydrogen Production
Austrian company, Andritz AG, specializes in producing technology for hydrogen generation. - Andritz Corporation produces technology for hydrogen generation.
Get ready for a massive surge in green hydrogen production courtesy of Andritz AG! Based in Erfurt, this new state-of-the-art facility will serve as a key player in Europe's expanding hydrogen market.
At the grand unveiling, Andritz AG announced that it will tap into Thuringia's industrial might to cater to the burgeoning demand for green hydrogen. In the past, the site was primarily used for building automotive presses by Andritz Schuler. However, it has now been repurposed, turning the wheels of the green revolution in motion.
The first phase of this revolutionary facility boasts an initial production capacity of around 1 gigawatt, which translates to an estimated 160 to 200 high-tech hydrogen-producing units—electrolyzers—every year.
Ever wondered what will be the first stop for these state-of-the-art electrolyzers? Salzgitter AG will be the lucky recipient of these groundbreaking devices that are set to transform low-CO2 steel production.
Hydrogen production components, including the pivotal electrolyzer cell stacks, have been a part of Erfurt's manufacturing landscape since March 2025. With around 350 dedicated employees holed up at the location, approximately 100 of them will be involved in the electrolyzer production processes moving forward.
Speaking about the strategic location, Andritz's CEO Joachim Schönbeck gushed, "We draw strength from our rich and time-honored industrial heritage in Erfurt, which boasts 125 years of heavy machinery manufacturing expertise."
Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt (CDU) also voiced his excitement, as he proclaimed, "The electrolyzer manufacturing powerhouse we have created in Erfurt marks a major milestone in Germany's hydrogen production efforts."
HydrogenPro, a trusted partner of Andritz, is the driving force behind the technology used in these game-changing electrolyzers. The first batch of these eco-friendly machines will be deployed at Salzgitter AG's 100 MW hydrogen plant, setting the bar high for low-carbon steel production.
With a robust team of 30,000 employees across approximately 80 global locations, the technology titan Andritz AG continues to drive Europe's rise in the green hydrogen market, reinforcing the adage: "Going green needn't burn a hole in your pocket."
Just a couple of days ago, Thyssenkrupp Nucera and a renowned Fraunhofer Institute launched a pilot plant in Thuringian Arnstadt. The ambitious, cutting-edge project aims to commercialize high-temperature electrolysis technology (SOEC) for large-scale hydrogen production, capitalizing on it as a renewable energy carrier to power the future.
Sources:
- https://www.andritz.com/en/news-and-events/press-releases/details/andritz-ag-opens-green-hydrogen-production-facility-in-erfurt/
- https://electrolyeronline.com/2022/03/andritz-starts-production-of-electrolyzer-cells-in-germany/
- https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/andritz-says-to-make-electrolyzer-cells-germany-hydrogen-production-2021-09-09/
- https://www.hydrogenpro.com/
- https://www.salzgitter.de/en/company/our-contact/media-center/press/release/salzgitter-to-invest-737m-in-low-carbon-steel-plant/
- Andritz AG's new community policy in Erfurt includes a focus on vocational training for the 350 employees at the green hydrogen production facility, ensuring a skilled workforce to maintain the high-tech electrolyzers.
- In the renewable-energy sector, Andritz AG's Erfurt gigafactory is pioneering the use of technology in large-scale hydrogen production, showcasing the potential for the industry's financing to invest in green hydrogen production.
- As the demand for green hydrogen grows, the Erfurt gigafactory, which was once home to automotive press production, is now a leading player in vocational training, enabling Thuringia's industrial workforce to contribute to Thyssenkrupp Nucera's pilot plant and envisioned large-scale hydrogen production projects in the future.
