Linde, the industrial gas giant, has invested approximately $90 million to ramp up production at its McIntosh facility in Alabama.
The investment positions Linde to produce up to 30 tonnes per day of liquid hydrogen, catering to diverse markets and bolstering its standing as the largest liquid hydrogen supplier in the United States.
The primary goal of Linde’s substantial investment is to address the escalating demand for liquid hydrogen in various end markets, including manufacturing and electronics. The McIntosh plant’s expanded capacity aligns with Linde’s commitment to cater to existing and new customers, meeting their evolving hydrogen needs. Additionally, the increased production will support Linde’s ventures in the space launch and mobility sectors, underscoring the versatile applications of liquid hydrogen.
Linde’s commitment to sustainable practices extends beyond traditional hydrogen production. Earlier this year, in January 2023, the company augmented its green hydrogen production capacity in California. Deploying five-megawatt proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers at existing plants marked a significant step towards achieving its green hydrogen goals. Linde’s future plans involve building, owning, and operating a new PEM electrolyser at its Ontario plant, further supporting the mobility market’s growing demand.
The investments and capacity expansions undertaken by Linde contribute to the broader objective of mitigating carbon emissions. The PEM electrolyser in Ontario, expected to be operational in the second half of 2024, aims to prevent up to 75,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. These initiatives align seamlessly with the US National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap, unveiled in June 2023. The national strategy, a key component of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, envisions significant annual clean hydrogen production milestones, fostering a sustainable and resilient hydrogen ecosystem.
