Press release

Expoquimia: challenges of hydrogen use in industry

3 May 2023
Expoquimia: retos del uso del hidrógeno en la industria

TECNALIA joins Expoquimia to address the challenges of hydrogen use in industry

  • 'Hydrogen Day' will be held on 30th May within the framework of the International Chemistry Meeting at Fira de Barcelona, the sector's leading national trade fair.
  • Around twenty experts will discuss the challenges that companies have to face with the growing use of this energy source in order to make its use viable at an industrial level. Representatives from leading companies, such as Iberdrola, Repsol, Nortegas, Sener, Enagás, H2Site, Team, Jolt, Carburos Metálicos and Sarralle have already confirmed their participation.

27 April 2023 Expoquimia, Fira de Barcelona's International Chemistry Meeting, and TECNALIA, Spain's largest centre for applied research and technological development, have signed a collaboration agreement to organise "Hydrogen Day", a conference to be held on 30th May as part of the trade fair to address the challenges and opportunities involved in using hydrogen at an industrial level.

In this session, which is part of the Expoquimia Industry Showcase, around twenty experts in the field will discuss the challenges that companies have to face with the growing use of this energy source in order to make its use viable at an industrial level.

Organised jointly by Expoquimia and TECANALIA, 'Hydrogen Day' consists of a plenary session and four round tables that will analyse issues such as hydrogen generation itself, its distribution and storage, its industrial uses and the training plans required in this field. Solutions that are already on the market will also be presented so that small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, can make use of this new energy source in an affordable and economically sustainable way.

Representatives from leading companies, such as Iberdrola, Repsol, Nortegas, Sener, Enagás, H2Site, Team, Sarralle, Jolt, Carburos Metálicos, among others, have already confirmed their participation.

Hydrogen in industry: a clean and sustainable energy source

Although its use is still a minority, institutions and governments around the world are implementing policies to promote the use of hydrogen in industry, as it is a clean and sustainable energy source as an alternative to fossil fuels, which reduces emissions, facilitates decarbonisation and reduces dependence on traditional fuels. In this respect, the European Union has set the objective of producing 10 million tonnes of this fuel per year by 2030, as well as being an essential element in the fight against climate change.

This conference will form part of the official programme of activities for the 20th edition of Expoquimia, the sector's leading national trade fair which, under the slogan 'Connecting industry, society and sustainability', will feature a wide representation from the chemical industry, an essential sector for economic development and the well-being of society.

From 30th May to 2nd June, Expoquimia will be held alongside Equiplast, Spain's leading plastics and rubber show, bringing together more than 530 companies and 900 brands, which will be showcasing their latest new features and innovations.

The Director of Expoquimia, Xavier Pascual, said that "green hydrogen is a great opportunity for the decarbonisation of large economic sectors while at the same time representing a challenge for industry. The generation, distribution and storage of H2 is the great challenge that we want to address in this conference with the help of leading experts".

For his part, Ekain Fernández, Head of Hydrogen Technologies at TECNALIA, stated "at TECNALIA, we develop innovative technologies in the field of hydrogen to create a strong industry and a national value chain, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that our activity will benefit society"

About TECNALIA

TECNALIA is the largest applied research and technological development centre in Spain, a European benchmark and member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. We work with companies and institutions to increase their competitiveness, quality of life of people and achieve sustainable growth. We do so thanks to people who are passionate about technology and committed to building a better society.

The main scopes of action are: smart manufacturing, digital transformation, energy transition, sustainable mobility, personalised health, urban ecosystem and circular economy.