Andritz opens a gigafactory for electrolyzers in Germany

The international technology group Andritz has opened a new gigafactory for electrolysers in Erfurt, Germany. The plant can produce up to 1.1 GW or approximately 160-200 electrolysers per year. This is stated in the company’s press release.

The facility will serve the growing green hydrogen market in Europe.

Key components for green hydrogen production have been manufactured at this facility since March this year. Depending on customer demand, production volumes can be flexibly increased.

The electrolysers are based on the latest technology from Andritz’s partner, HydrogenPro. The first devices produced at the plant are intended for Salzgitter AG’s innovative 100 MW hydrogen plant for low-carbon steel production.

“With this gigafactory, we are not only supporting our customers in their green transition, but also moving closer to our goal of becoming a leading supplier of innovative, cost-effective solutions in Erfurt,” said ANDRITZ CEO Joachim Schönbeck.

According to Gerd Baresch, Chief Technical Officer at Salzgitter Flachstahl, Andritz is an important partner for the company on its path to low-CO2 steel production. The 100 MW electrolysis plant being built by the companies will enable Salzgitter to produce hydrogen independently and thus contribute to the production of environmentally friendly products at the Salzgitter site in the future.

It should be recalled that last spring, Australian mining company Fortescue announced the opening of an electrolyzer manufacturing plant in Gladstone (Queensland, Australia). It was expected to produce more than 2 GW of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers per year.