Spanish bus operator Alsa and financial services company Renta 4 have joined hands to acquire a stake in Ariema, a prominent Spanish hydrogen company.
The move comes as Alsa, a subsidiary of National Express, seeks to expand its sustainable fleet development expertise by incorporating the hydrogen solutions offered by Ariema. This strategic collaboration will enable Alsa to actively participate in advanced research and development projects and deployment initiatives, while also gaining preferential access to Ariema’s cutting-edge electrolyzers, manufactured using their own technology.
Ariema, with over two decades of experience, specializes in providing consulting services, specialized training, and the production of electrolyzers for hydrogen generation using renewable energy sources. The company currently has nine research and development projects underway, with a budget exceeding 20 million euros. These projects aim to enhance the performance and scalability of their electrolyzers to operate at a megawatt scale.
Renta 4, on the other hand, has been relying on Ariema for advice regarding its hydrogen investments for several years. In early 2020, Renta 4 launched the Megatendencias Hydrogen Investment Fund, recognizing the tremendous growth potential in green hydrogen production. The companies emphasize that fulfilling the expectations of this growth will require substantial financial resources from both the public and private sectors, along with a robust financing structure for supporting companies and infrastructure.
Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that the partnership between Alsa, Renta 4, and Ariema has been established through a capital increase. While the specific details of the transaction and the resulting capital structure have not been disclosed, insiders confirm that the new partners do not hold a controlling position in Ariema, and the existing partners will remain involved.
With the entry of Alsa and Renta 4, Ariema strengthens its financial resources, providing additional support for its research and development activities and the construction of a new electrolyzer factory. Furthermore, the collaboration will fuel the growth of Ariema’s consulting and training services while facilitating the ongoing internationalization efforts.
