Hy.Summit.Rhein.Ruhr 2025

Sunset Cruise

The opening evening in Duisburg Harbour and on the Rhine focused on the interface between politics and industry.

Despite the current somewhat subdued mood, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Mona Neubaur, spread confidence: the development of the hydrogen core network is now getting underway in this country, and a lot is also happening at European level, said Neubaur. She called on future customers to stay the course and asked large-scale industry to show solidarity with smaller companies and SMEs. ‘Stay on the side of hydrogen!’ And in keeping with the venue, she concluded with ‘Cast off for hydrogen!’

Duisburg’s Mayor Soeren Link emphasised the importance of change, decarbonisation and the steel industry for Duisburg, Germany and Europe. The goal is not to be cheaper than the others, but to be better and more innovative!

Key to the energy transition and industrial decarbonisation

‘Hydrogen is crucial for the energy transition,’ stated Prof. Barbara Albert, Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen. The Ruhr region has also taken on a leading role in research and science in this area, she said, citing the ‘DAC-2-E-Methane’ project as an example, in which the Essen-based start-up Greenlyte Carbon Technologies and the Duisburg-based research institute ZBT – The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center are among the participants.

Miguel Ángel López Borrego, CEO of thyssenkrupp, made it clear that, in his view, electrification alone is not enough to decarbonise industry. Green hydrogen is the key to becoming climate-neutral – not a nice-to-have, but a necessity. However, green energy must be available at all times and affordable in the future, otherwise there is a risk of locational disadvantages. He therefore called for more speed in building the infrastructure, competitive prices and quantities, and pragmatism in the transition phase to completely green energy.

After disillusionment comes work: hydrogen projects are gaining momentum

Dennis Grimm, SEB and COO at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, was dissatisfied with the overall situation. He said that no real progress had been made last year and that the framework conditions had deteriorated. However, he also called on the industry to do its part: it must do its homework, and industry and politics must now deliver.

The hype is over, the interaction is not yet right, but Thomas Becker from Thyssengas continues to believe firmly in hydrogen. At Thyssengas, the excavators are rolling, the conversion of old gas pipelines to hydrogen has begun, and the new construction is in the approval process. But Becker believes that the ramp-up of a hydrogen economy can only happen if everyone works together.

Day 2 in Bochum: Interface between business and science

The second day of the Hy.Summit in Bochum focused on the exchange between business and science – with inspiring keynotes, exciting panels and many direct discussions. The focus was on the challenges in technology, standardisation and international cooperation.

On the podium, previous experiences and insights from implementation were shared in order to identify the obstacles to the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy and to be able to remove them in a targeted manner. Several panels discussed, among other things, the basis for investment decisions and functioning business models, as well as the necessary framework conditions for planning security.

The congress was complemented by a trade exhibition with many participants from science and industry. We at ZBT were also there with a team and a small stand and were delighted with the many contacts and fruitful discussions.

A big thank you goes to the Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr association and the supporting economic development agencies for the great event!

The third day of the Hy.Summit will not follow directly on from the first two this year, but will take place on 19 February 2026 in Hamm. This is where research and practice come together. Specialist presentations, poster sessions and an excursion to the Trianel gas-fired power station will show how research and development are directly translated into applications.

Sorry, according to the organisers, Day 3 is already fully booked, but you can still put your name on the waiting list here: Registration for the Hy.Summit-Hy.Lab in Hamm

We’ll keep our fingers crossed.