The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy raises many questions: Where will hydrogen be produced? Who are the offtakers? How can the volatile gas be stored safely and transported worldwide without loss? Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, based in Erlangen, Germany, has developed the liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology to address the latter issue.

Founded in 2013, Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies is a pioneer in enabling flexible hydrogen value chains through its innovative LOHC technology. The company’s mission is to make hydrogen transport and storage as safe, simple, and efficient as possible — key prerequisites for scaling a global hydrogen economy.

Hydrogenious’ LOHC technology chemically binds hydrogen to the thermal oil  benzyltoluene (BT). This allows hydrogen to be handled under ambient pressure and temperature conditions using conventional liquid fuel infrastructure. Thanks to this approach, the need for high-pressure tanks or cryogenic storage systems is eliminated, which significantly reduces logistical complexity and safety risks when handling hydrogen. The LOHC-BT remains stable and non-explosive, with a hazard profile comparable to diesel. This makes it particularly well-suited for use in densely populated or infrastructure-sensitive environments, such as ports.

In maritime hubs like the Port of Amsterdam, LOHC-BT technology offers a compelling solution for integrating hydrogen into existing fuel logistics. It enables safe bunkering, storage and distribution without the need for major infrastructure overhauls. Furthermore, the high volumetric hydrogen density and loss-free transport characteristics of LOHC-BT make it ideal for large-scale, long-distance sea transport, which is an essential factor for connecting global hydrogen production centers and industrial offtakers.

As a founding member of the H2A initiative, Hydrogenious is driving the transition to clean hydrogen by empowering members with safe and reliable access to this critical energy carrier. In partnership with the Port of Amsterdam and Evos, Hydrogenious is developing one of Europe’s first world-scale LOHC-BT release plants, which will enable the import of 36,000 tons of green hydrogen per year.

Once arrived in Amsterdam the LOHC loaded with hydrogen can be transported efficiently and safely into the European hinterland, utilizing a flexible multimodal logistics network – comprising truck, train and barge. This infrastructure allows for decentralized and demand-driven access to green hydrogen, even in landlocked regions.

Key projects exemplifying this downstream integration include project Hector and the IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) Green Hydrogen @ Blue Danube, which together will form the first comprehensive LOHC value chain at industrial scale in Europe from 2028.