Air Liquide and Itochu Corporation (Itochu) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on the growth of hydrogen mobility markets in Japan.

Air Liquide Japan and Itochu will initially concentrate on the growth of Japan’s hydrogen retail system, both for passenger cars and modern fleets of commercial vehicles (trucks, busses). The goal is to extend this retail infrastructure and to establish a competitive supply of hydrogen for both passengers and commercial end-users, in cooperation with public authorities, to enable a rapid increase in hydrogen mobility in Japan. In favor of the Japan Government Hydrogen Roadmap, the two firms will discuss further internationally the possibilities for extending the hydrogen supply chain.

This partnership would exploit Air Liquide’s experience and technology around the hydrogen supply chain and the Itochu Group’s vast presence across various energy markets, from retail fuel to clean energy generation plants.

This cooperation follows the latest declaration by the Japanese Government of the Green Society’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, in which hydrogen is supposed to play a key role. Under this scheme, the Japanese government would ban the selling of cars that operate exclusively on fossil fuels after 2035, encouraging the transport industry to move towards hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles.

“The fight against climate change is at the heart of Air Liquide ‘s strategy. Hydrogen is projected to play a key role in supporting energy transition and the emergence of a carbon-neutral society. With this collaboration, we seek to jointly accelerate the development of Hydrogen mobility markets in Japan, leveraging our complementary technology portfolios and know-how across the entire hydrogen value chain. ”
François Abrial, member of the Air Liquide group’s executive committee supervising Asia Pacific.