Falconara inaugurates Marche region’s first green hydrogen valley

The Opificio Idrogeno Marche (OIM) has been inaugurated in Falconara, marking the establishment of the first ‘Hydrogen Valley’ in the Marche region. Located on the reclaimed 4.5-hectare site of the former Montedison industrial area, the facility represents a transition from 20th-century industry to ecological innovation.

The project involved an investment exceeding 60 million euros, with 16.4 million euros sourced from the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). The facility utilizes 16 megawatts of dedicated photovoltaic power to operate four electrolyzers, which separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. The plant is expected to produce over 600 tons of green hydrogen annually, primarily intended to fuel heavy vehicles, public transport, and industrial machinery.

Developed through a partnership between Renco and the Pollarini Group, the site includes hydrogen treatment, compression, and storage capabilities. It features a refueling station for cars, buses, and industrial vehicles, as well as a distribution system for cylinder transport. Local officials noted that the project serves as a model for combining industrial development with the environmental recovery of abandoned territories.