Main dispenser at the hydrogen test filling station at the ZBT

HY-Infra – Cross-border Initiative to Advance Hydrogen Infrastructure in the Meuse-Rhine Region

Partners from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have launched the ‘HY-Infra’ project, a cross-border initiative aimed at accelerating the development of hydrogen infrastructure in the Meuse-Rhine region. The project brings together WaterstofNet (NL), ZBT (DE), ANPLICON GmbH (DE), POM Limburg (BE), and Cluster Tweed (BE) to address shared challenges related to hydrogen infrastructure, demand aggregation and hydrogen quality.

16.03.2026, Maastricht – Hydrogen plays a key role in achieving Europe’s climate and energy objectives. The Meuse-Rhine region has a strong industrial base, logistics sector and inland shipping activities. “However, fragmented infrastructure planning, uncertainty regarding cross border connections, and limited insight into hydrogen quality currently slow down large-scale deployment. These barriers delay scale-up, investment security, and broad adoption,” explains Stefan Neis, HY-Infra project manager at WaterstofNet. “The infrastructure in the three countries must be aligned. HY-Infra is launched now to cooperate on rollout, permitting… and to highlight regional importance and business involvement.”

Modular roadmap

HY-Infra aims to develop an integrated cross-border framework for hydrogen infrastructure planning between 2026 and 2035. Within this roadmap the focus will be on the backbone (industry) and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure (trucks, inland shipping…). The project will map regional hydrogen demand, align infrastructure plans across borders, and develop a modular roadmap for stakeholders.

Group photo of ten people in a meadow in front of trees and a lake; two people are holding an oversized symbolic key

Mobile laboratory

As quality of hydrogen is important, part of the project is the development of innovative hydrogen quality monitoring solutions, including a mobile laboratory and multi-gas analysis system. These tools will support cross-border pilot activities and contribute to the establishment of a ‘Hydrogen Quality Competence Center’ at ZBT.

By strengthening cooperation between industry, small SMEs, research institutions and public authorities, HY-Infra will create a platform for companies investing in hydrogen technologies, and reinforce the Meuse-Rhine region’s position as an emerging European hydrogen innovation hub.

technical equipment for sampling at hydrogen filling stations

Knowledge exchange

The project also includes the creation of a transnational database on hydrogen demand, infrastructure planning, permits and hydrogen-quality data. As well as organizing workshops and a final conference to facilitate knowledge exchange between companies, policymakers and regional stakeholders.

HY-Infra contributes to broader European initiatives such as the EU Hydrogen Backbone, AFIR infrastructure development for transport, and the RH2INE corridor for inland shipping, ensuring that the Meuse-Rhine region plays an active role in Europe’s hydrogen transition.

From needs assessment to quality assurance

Hy-Infra delivers concrete, implementation-oriented results: an inventory of future demand (2026 – 2035), the alignment of existing infrastructure plans with regional needs and a modular blueprint including a roadmap for 2030 – 2035.

As part of the project, ZBT is setting up an “H₂ quality” competence center – with mobile sampling systems, a mobile hydrogen laboratory, regular sample campaigns (including online monitoring) and a transnational database on demand, permits and quality data.

Project information

Project title: Hydrogen Infrastructure for the Meuse-Rhine region (Hy-Infra)

Term: 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028

Total budget: € 2.0 million, of which EU funding € 1.2 million

Project partners:

WaterstofNet (NL)
ANPLICON (DE)
POM-Limburg (BE)
Cluster Tweed (BE)
ZBT (DE)

Further cooperation (selection): HyNetwork, Fluxys, OGE, Thyssengas (Backbone), municipalities (including Maastricht, Parkstad, Aachen, Liège, Genk) and development agencies (IHKs, LIOF).

The project receives funding from the Interreg Meuse Rhine program. This program receives support from the European Regional Development Fund or ERDF. HY-infra also receives co-financing from the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, the Dutch Ministry of EZK, and the Province of Wallonia.

Two people are discussing matters in front of the main control panel at the hydrogen test filling station on the ZBT hydrogen test site

Contact person

Head of department Hydrogen Infrastructure

Dr.-Ing. Christian Spitta

+49 203 7598-4277

c.spitta@zbt.de

Media

Hydrogen technologies are being tested at system scale at the ZBT’s hydrogen test site.

Kick-off meeting for the HY-Infra project in Maastricht, the Netherlands

The Hy-SaM device can be used to take hydrogen samples at filling stations.

Other current projects at the ZBT

7. April, 2026

PEMELYonROLL: Scalable roll-to-roll production for PEM electrolysis MEAs

The PEMELYonROLL project is developing scalable manufacturing processes for high-performance CCM and MEA for PEM water electrolysis. The aim is to develop material-efficient, quality-assured and industry-oriented manufacturing processes.

30. March, 2026

NEREUS – Next-Generation Scalable AEM Electrolysers as Sustainable Hydrogen Production System

NEREUS develops next-generation anion exchange membrane electrolysers (AEM electrolysers) for high-performance, long-lasting and cost-efficient hydrogen production.

30. March, 2026

FeNCy-PEM – Production and use of precious metal-free Fe-N-C catalysts

FeNCy-PEM develops scalable, precious metal-free Fe-N-C catalysts and integrates them into the production and application of PEM fuel cells.

17. March, 2026

HyQualityLab4NRW – Laboratory for AI-supported quality control and assurance in H2 research

With the “HyQualityLab4NRW”, a high-performance AI-supported material analysis laboratory is being set up at the ZBT to enable research institutions and industry to carry out comprehensive quality control of their products.

12. March, 2026

PARZELL: Qualitative and quantitative PFAS analysis in realistic PEM electrolysis and fuel cell operation

The PARZELL research project systematically investigates the release of PFAS from PEM electrolysers and PEM fuel cells and develops methods to realistically measure, evaluate and reduce emissions in the long term.

12. March, 2026

HiHyPe: New AEM technology for electrochemical hydrogen compressors

The HiHyPe project is developing a low- to non-precious metal AEM technology for electrochemical hydrogen compressors, thereby strengthening the future of the hydrogen economy.

4. March, 2026

HY-Infra – Cross-border Initiative to Advance Hydrogen Infrastructure in the Meuse-Rhine Region

Hy-Infra strengthens the cross-border hydrogen infrastructure in the Rhine-Meuse region. The interregional project creates transparency about future hydrogen requirements and derives the necessary infrastructure by 2030/2035.

4. March, 2026

NH3Avi – Inline production of metal-supported SOFC MEAs for aviation

Climate-neutral flying requires new energy sources – and new production technologies. NH3Avi is developing metal-supported SOFC membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for use with ammonia in aviation.