{"id":14045,"date":"2024-05-02T13:50:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T13:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/news\/new-hydrogen-centre-itz-west-offers-opportunities-for-investors-in-duisburg\/"},"modified":"2025-12-12T11:28:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T11:28:20","slug":"new-hydrogen-centre-itz-west-offers-opportunities-for-investors-in-duisburg","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/news\/new-hydrogen-centre-itz-west-offers-opportunities-for-investors-in-duisburg\/","title":{"rendered":"New hydrogen centre: ITZ-West offers opportunities for investors in Duisburg"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

New hydrogen centre: ITZ-West offers opportunities for investors in Duisburg<\/h1>\n
\n

The federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are jointly funding the construction of a test and inspection centre for hydrogen-based drives in heavy-duty mobility in North Rhine-Westphalia with up to 120 million euros. Now investors from industry have the opportunity to get involved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Developing new technologies in the field of climate-friendly hydrogen drives for heavy-duty applications to market maturity requires a high level of technological investment in testing, inspection and certification. For medium-sized companies in particular, the necessary testing and inspection environment is often not available for reasons of cost and complexity. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \"\"\n
\n <\/figure>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n

<\/h2>\n

To remedy this situation, four hydrogen and fuel cell centres will be established under one roof \u2013 the Innovation and Technology Centre for Hydrogen Technologies<\/b> (ITZ H2) – as part of the German hydrogen strategy. The Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) and the federal states where the centres are located are providing funding for this. <\/p>\n

The four locations will support companies in the development and introduction of new technologies with central services <\/b>that are not yet provided by the free market in the required form, thereby accelerating their market launch<\/b>. A feasibility study completed in 2022 and a market study from 2023 show the high demand and great interest of market participants in such a facility. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

\n \"\"\n
\n <\/div>\n <\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n \"\"\n \n<\/section>\n\n
\n

Test and inspection centre in Duisburg<\/h2>\n

With the support of the BMDV and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIKE), a test and inspection centre<\/b> for components powered by gaseous hydrogen and intended for use in heavy-duty transport in particular is to be established at the Duisburg site<\/b>. In an existing large industrial hall, laboratories, test benches and offices<\/b> will be created on several thousand square metres using a room-in-room concept, in order to support companies, particularly those with large power ratings, in bringing their technologies and products to market. <\/p>\n

To this end, a new company (\u2018TrHy – The Hydrogen Proving Area\u2019) will be founded, which will provide the necessary development and testing environment with a focus on testing and certifying components<\/b>, in addition to the hydrogen infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\u2018With TrHy, we want to offer the industry a development environment that will enable it to position itself for international competition,\u2019 explains project manager Joachim Jungsbluth. \u2018In this way, we want to make a decisive contribution to Germany’s goal of becoming a technology leader in the field of hydrogen propulsion.\u2019 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Opportunities for investors<\/h2>\n

TrHy is now inviting interested companies from industry and business<\/b> to participate in the company or in individual activities, such as the operation of a certified testing laboratory, as direct or \u2013 within the framework of conceivable joint ventures \u2013 indirect investors. As part of the preparation of the application for funding, discussions are being held with investors and partners in order to optimally involve the industry. <\/p>\n

In addition to the 110 industrial companies<\/b> that have already signalled their interest and support in the first phase of the project via a letter of intent<\/b> (LoI), other players<\/b> who wish to become involved in this area will also be considered, provided they are suitably qualified. Companies interested in collaborating can contact info(at)trhy.center<\/a> to receive further information. <\/p>\n

\u2018We are now giving committed, forward-looking companies the opportunity to become an integral part of this exciting and important project,\u2019 says Jungsbluth, looking forward to the discussions. This marks the next important phase for the stakeholders in Duisburg in making the ITZ West location, the \u2018TrHy\u2019, a reality. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

MORE ABOUT THE ITZ AND ITS FOUR CENTRES<\/h2>\n

The Innovation and Technology Centre for Hydrogen Technologies<\/b> (ITZ H2) aims to support companies in their development activities by offering highly specialised testing and certification services<\/b> that are not yet available on the free market in the required form. In addition, the ITZ H2 is intended to offer SMEs and start-ups a development environment in which to position themselves for international competition. The centre’s services are also intended to support international cooperation in setting standards and establishing certification processes. This is intended to make a decisive contribution to Germany’s goal of technological leadership. <\/p>\n

ITZ-West<\/b> – one of four ITZ H2 locations – is being developed in Duisburg under the brand name \u2018TrHy – The Hydrogen Proving Area\u2019. Under the leadership of the ZBT – The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center, numerous institutions from the region are establishing ITZ-West as innovation partners. <\/p>\n

The other ITZ H2 locations are Chemnitz, Pfeffenhausen (Bavaria) and \u2018Nord\u2019 with Bremen, Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Stade.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

ABOUT THE ZBT<\/h2>\n

The ZBT – The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center<\/b> is one of Europe’s leading research institutions for fuel cells, hydrogen technologies and electrolysis. The ZBT is a sought-after research and development partner in cutting-edge European and national research and in industrial projects focusing on stationary energy generation and automotive applications. The approximately 180 employees at ZBT have access to an outstanding technical infrastructure, including test facilities, chemical laboratories, high-tech analytics and production facilities. State-of-the-art IT and software tools round off the portfolio. <\/p>\n

Press Contact:<\/b>
\nHenning Winter
\nEmail: h.winter(at)zbt.de<\/a>
\nTel: 0203 7598-3346<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Media<\/h4>\n
\n \n
\n \n \"\"\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n \"Investors\n <\/a>\n Investors welcome: The TrHy test and development centre for hydrogen propulsion systems is being built on an industrial site in Duisburg.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n \"\"\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n