# Germany expands full‑scale green hydrogen ecosystem

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-green-hydrogen-push-for-steel
> Updated: 2026-08-04T06:30:00.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 8.

In early June 2026 EWE and steelmaker Salzgitter AG sealed a long‑term off‑take for about 10,000 t y⁻¹ of green hydrogen from the 320 MW electrolyser under construction in Emden, with deliveries slated to start in 2030. Both parties urged policymakers to maintain strong support, citing €925 million for steel conversion and €267 million for the hydrogen plant, and stressed the need for competitive electricity prices and regulatory certainty. That week Evonik Industries launched industrial‑scale production of anion‑exchange membranes at its Marl site, a pilot line capable of supplying membranes for over 2.5 GW of electrolyser capacity per year. The membranes are being tested in a Shanghai technology centre to cut electrolyser costs and improve competitiveness against grey hydrogen. At the end of June EWE began building the 24‑km H₂Coastlink 1 pipeline linking Emden to Leer, completing the four‑stage value chain of generation, transport, storage and consumption on a single site – Germany’s first full‑scale green‑hydrogen ecosystem. Simultaneously ThyssenKrupp Nucera announced plans to roll out multi‑hundred‑megawatt alkaline electrolyser parks across Europe and North America. In early July the Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park’s gas‑processing plant passed a TÜV‑supervised leak‑tightness test. The facility will purify hydrogen from a 30‑MW renewable‑powered electrolyser to 99.97 % purity (12 000 Nm³ h⁻¹) before sending it via a 25‑km pipeline to the TotalEnergies refinery in Leuna. Later that month Lingen (Ems) and the Emsland district adopted a roadmap linking excess electrolysis heat to district‑heating networks, adding hydrogen‑capable gas turbines and expanding digital solutions through local partnerships and the University of Osnabrück. Leipzig’s municipal Hydrogen‑Scout, developed with the HYPOS network, continues to guide firms toward hydrogen applications, funding and partners, and promotes the upcoming East German Hydrogen Congress.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-04: Germany launches first green‑hydrogen pipeline from Lingen to Marl

RWE’s green hydrogen from Lingen reaches Evonik’s Marl plant via a 120 km pipeline, marking the first operation of the GET H2 Nukleus network and a milestone for Germany’s hydrogen transition.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-launches-first-greenhydrogen-pipeline-from-lingen-to-marl

### 2026-07-20: Germany launches seabed surveys for AquaDuctus offshore hydrogen pipeline

Germany’s AquaDuctus offshore hydrogen pipeline began seabed surveys near Norderney and Hilgenriedersiel, marking the first offshore hydrogen line for the nation’s hydrogen core network.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-launches-seabed-surveys-for-aquaductus-offshore-hydrogen-pipeline

### 2026-07-20: Leipzig's Hydrogen‑Scout guides firms into emerging green‑tech network

Leipzig’s Hydrogen‑Scout helps firms explore hydrogen use, funding and partnerships as the city’s core hydrogen network prepares for operation by 2027.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leipzigs-hydrogenscout-guides-firms-into-emerging-greentech-network

### 2026-07-20: Lingen (Ems) adopts green hydrogen roadmap after Fraunhofer ISI study

Fraunhofer ISI study outlines a green hydrogen roadmap for Lingen (Ems), leveraging existing electrolyzers, waste‑heat district heating, hydrogen turbines, and regional digital and research collaborations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lingen-ems-adopts-green-hydrogen-roadmap-after-fraunhofer-isi-study

### 2026-07-07: Germany's Bad Lauchstädt Energy Park Prepares Gas Processing Plant for Green Hydrogen

Germany's Bad Lauchstädt energy park gas‑processing plant cleared leak tests, ready to purify hydrogen from a 30 MW electrolyser, achieving 99.97 % purity and targeting first production later this year.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-bad-lauchstdt-energy-park-prepares-gas-processing-plant-for-green-hydrogen

### 2026-06-30: Germany launches first full‑scale green hydrogen ecosystem in Emden

EWE started building a 24 km hydrogen pipeline linking Emden and Leer, completing Germany’s first full hydrogen ecosystem, while ThyssenKrupp Nucera scales alkaline electrolyzers for large‑scale industrial use.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germany-launches-first-fullscale-green-hydrogen-ecosystem-in-emden

### 2026-06-10: Evonik Starts Production of AEM Membranes for Green Hydrogen

Evonik began industrial production of AEM membranes in Germany, targeting over 2.5 GW capacity to cut green hydrogen costs, with testing underway in Shanghai.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/evonik-starts-production-of-aem-membranes-for-green-hydrogen

### 2026-06-09: EWE to supply 10,000 t of green hydrogen per year to Salzgitter steel plant

EWE and Salzgitter AG sign a seven‑year deal for 10,000 t/yr of green hydrogen from Emden, starting 2030, to help decarbonise steel production with federal backing.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ewe-to-supply-10000-t-of-green-hydrogen-per-year-to-salzgitter-steel-plant

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Cite as: Germany expands full‑scale green hydrogen ecosystem. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-green-hydrogen-push-for-steel