Hydrogen Generation Market Analysis

Global Hydrogen Generation Market Overview:

Hydrogen Generation Market Size was valued at USD 102.2 billion in 2021. The hydrogen generation market industry is projected to grow from USD 111.9 billion in 2022 to USD 210.5 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.45% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030). Rapid industrialization and urbanization in India, China, and other Asian countries, as well as the adoption of smart and energy-efficient hydrogen-generation technologies, are major market drivers for market expansion.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Hydrogen Generation Market Trends

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  Transition to clean energy power to propel the market growth

  
  

Continuous urban and industrial growth has forced nations to adopt various power producing technologies to meet demand. Additionally, there are development programmes in areas like the Middle East and Africa and the Asia Pacific with fast rising populations. Concerns about using sustainable energy sources to lessen reliance on fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas are becoming increasingly important in the global economy. 

For instance, according to the Statistical Review of World Energy 2020 by BP, which was released in June 2020, the Asia Pacific region's overall energy consumption increased from roughly 249.4 exajoules in 2018 to around 257.6 exajoules in 2019. Thus, this factor is driving the market CAGR.

Furthermore, with an increase in population, there will be a twofold increase in food demand. Intense farming, protective cropping techniques, and the finest fertilizer management procedures will all be necessary to increase agricultural production in order to fulfill this expanding need. 

Nitrogen fertilizers will be employed for fertilizer management. One of the main ingredients of nitrogen fertilizers is ammonia, and ammonium nitrate is the recommended form. A tremendous demand for agricultural products will result from the growing world population, necessitating the development of better fertilization management systems. Due to the increased need for ammonia to produce these systems, the market will develop as a result.

Additionally, decarbonization refers to a gradual reduction in the carbon footprint of primary energy. One of the largest issues we currently face is the decarbonization of the world's energy system, which has boosted demand for green energy technology and cleaner energy sources like hydrogen. This is promoting the development of the hydrogen production sector. Additionally, the industry is growing significantly as a result of favorable government measures to minimize carbon footprints.

Since hydrogen is a clean energy fuel, it is anticipated that it will eventually lessen reliance on oil, lowering greenhouse gas emissions as well as other pollutants. From nearly all energy sources, including biomass, wind, solar, nuclear, and clean fossil fuels, hydrogen may be produced in vast quantities. As a result, the hydrogen generated can be used to generate electricity, which will balance the supply and demand in the upcoming energy system.

However, the market is anticipated to gain from rising research and development spending for hydrogen as well as rising interest among top automakers in hydrogen's advantages as a fuel throughout the projected period. Thus, it is anticipated that this aspect will accelerate hydrogen generation market revenue globally.

Hydrogen Generation Market Segment Insights:

Hydrogen Generation Source Insights

The Hydrogen Generation Market segmentation has been segmented by source into Blue Hydrogen, Green Hydrogen and Grey Hydrogen. The blue hydrogen segment dominated the market growth in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030. 

It is the alternative that has the best chance of succeeding commercially because production is very straightforward, there are no input shocks, and it can be modified to work with existing technologies found in chemical plants, petroleum refineries, and other sectors of the economy. Given that these sectors have historically made substantial expenditures in their physical infrastructure, blue hydrogen has become a more important component of business strategy.

Figure 2: Hydrogen Generation Market by Source, 2021 & 2030 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Hydrogen Generation Technology Insights

The Hydrogen Generation Market segmentation, based on technology, steam methane reforming (SMR), partial oxidation (POX), coal gasification and electrolysis. The steam methane reforming (SMR) segment dominated the hydrogen generation market revenue in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030. 

Since steam methane reforming is the most practical way to produce hydrogen, the increasing need for hydrogen generation on a global scale is a significant factor in the development of steam methane reformers. Other reasons influencing the market's expansion include operational advantages including the steam methane reforming method' high conversion efficiency.

Hydrogen Generation Application Insights

Based on application, the Hydrogen Generation Market data is segmented into Petroleum Refinery, Ammonia Production, Methanol Production, Transportation, Power Generation and Other Applications. The ammonia production segment dominated the hydrogen generation market revenue in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030. The potential of ammonia as a carbon-free fuel, hydrogen carrier, and energy reservoir offers a chance for the wider adoption of renewable hydrogen technology. Usually, a feedstock of fossil fuels is used to create hydrogen locally at ammonia facilities.

Hydrogen Generation Regional Insights

By region, the study provides the market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The Asia Pacific hydrogen generation market accounted for USD 44.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a 43.50% CAGR during the study period. The region's hydrogen production has increased as a result of the presence of more refineries, notably in important nations like China and India. Governments in certain Asia-Pacific nations, like Australia and Japan, are also researching cleaner, greener methods of producing hydrogen.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are: The U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3: Hydrogen Generation Market Share By Region 2021 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

North America hydrogen generation market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Each application and technology has contributed to the industry's rapid growth. The fastest-growing industry is the manufacturing of methanol and ammonia, which has seen tremendous expansion in the previous five years in nations like the U.S. and Canada. Further, the US hydrogen generation market held the largest market share, and the Canada hydrogen generation market was the fastest-growing market in the region.

Europe hydrogen generation market accounts for the second-fastest growing market share. Due to the increased research and deployment of fuel cell systems in Europe brought on by projects announced by the European Commission through organisations like the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, a rise in the region's hydrogen production is anticipated (FCH JU). 

These initiatives have been announced with the goal of increasing the use of fuel cell vehicles in Europe, which will aid in the creation of hydrogen infrastructure that will support fuel cell vehicles in the major European nations. Moreover, UK hydrogen generation market held the largest market share, and the Germany hydrogen generation market was the fastest-growing market in this region.

Hydrogen generation Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the hydrogen generation industry grow even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, market developments and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market industry.

One of the primary business strategies manufacturers adopt in the global hydrogen generation industry to benefit clients and expand the sector is manufacturing locally to reduce operating costs. In recent years, hydrogen generation industry has provided medicine with some of the most significant benefits. 

The hydrogen generation market major player such as Praxair Inc. (US), Air Liquide S.A. (France), Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (US), Hydrogenics (Canada), Iwatani (Japan), Messer Group (Germany), Plug Power (US), Linde (US), Showa Denko (Japan), Ballard Power systems (Canada) and Fuelcell Energy (US).

Leading engineering and industrial gas business Linde offers cutting-edge solutions to several industries, including manufacturing, food & beverage, chemicals, and refining. Additionally, the business offers cutting-edge gas processing solutions to meet customer needs while increasing productivity and lowering emissions. It attempts to offer creative answers for maintaining cutting-edge technologies, solutions, and goods. 

In February 2022, a contract between LINDE and BASF for the supply of hydrogen to a BASF industrial site has been signed. According to the contract, Linde will plan, construct, and run a new hydrogen production facility at the French chemical park Chalampé. The factory will provide materials to BASF's new hexamethylenediamine (HMD) production facility.

Also, the development of hydrogen fuel cell devices to replace traditional batteries in electrically powered equipment and vehicles is the focus of the American company Plug Power Inc. The business has offices in Spokane, Washington, and Rochester, New York, in addition to its headquarters in Latham, New York. In July 2021, together with Apex Clean Energy, one of the top hydrogen technology companies, Plug Power enters a 345 MW wind power purchase agreement (PPA). 

One of a number of liquid hydrogen plants will be fueled by the energy produced by the wind farm, which is thought to be the largest wind-driven hydrogen project in the United States. By 2025, according to Plug Power's forecast, daily demand for hydrogen would exceed 100 tonnes, necessitating the development of hydrogen generation capacity.

Key companies in the hydrogen generation market includes

• Praxair Inc. (US)


• Air Liquide S.A. (France)


• Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (US)


• Hydrogenics (Canada)


• Iwatani (Japan)


• Messer Group (Germany)


• Plug Power (US)


• Linde (US)


• Showa Denko (Japan)


• Ballard Power systems (Canada)


• Fuelcell Energy (US)

Hydrogen Generation Industry Developments

March 2021:In order to build a hydrogen plant in the US, Brookfield Renewable Partners and Plug Power, Inc. agreed into a partnership agreement. To lessen its carbon impact, this plant plans to produce about 15 metric tonnes of liquid hydrogen every day from 100 percent renewable resources.

September 2019:A fuel cell and hydrogen generation technology provider, Hydrogenics Corporation, will be acquired by Cummins Inc. Cummins will be able to innovate and expand more in the field of hydrogen generation thanks to the acquisition.

Hydrogen Generation Market Segmentation:

Hydrogen Generation Source Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)

• Blue Hydrogen


• Green Hydrogen


• Grey Hydrogen

Hydrogen Generation Technology Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)

• Steam Methane Reforming (SMR)


• Partial Oxidation (POX)


• Coal Gasification


• Electrolysis

Hydrogen Generation Application Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)

• Petroleum Refinery


• Ammonia Production


• Methanol Production


• Transportation


• Power Generation


• Other Applications

Hydrogen Generation Regional Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2030)

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  North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• 
  Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


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  Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


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  Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America