{"id":14600,"date":"2026-03-04T12:33:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T12:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/projects\/hy-infra-hydrogen-infrastructure-for-the-rhine-mass-region\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T11:26:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T11:26:06","slug":"hy-infra-hydrogen-infrastructure-for-the-rhine-mass-region","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/zbt.de\/en\/projects\/hy-infra-hydrogen-infrastructure-for-the-rhine-mass-region\/","title":{"rendered":"HY-Infra \u2013 Cross-border Initiative to Advance Hydrogen Infrastructure in the Meuse-Rhine Region"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HY-Infra \u2013 Cross-border Initiative to Advance Hydrogen Infrastructure in the Meuse-Rhine Region<\/h1>\n

Partners from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have launched the \u2018HY-Infra\u2019 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.<\/h4>\n

16.03.2026, Maastricht – Hydrogen plays a key role<\/strong> in achieving Europe\u2019s climate and energy objectives. The Meuse-Rhine region<\/strong> has a strong industrial base, logistics sector and inland shipping activities. \u201cHowever, 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<\/strong>, investment security, and broad adoption,\u201d explains Stefan Neis, HY-Infra project manager at WaterstofNet. \u201cThe infrastructure in the three countries must be aligned. HY-Infra<\/strong> is launched now to cooperate on rollout, permitting\u2026 and to highlight regional importance and business involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Modular roadmap<\/h2>\n

HY-Infra aims to develop an integrated cross-border framework for hydrogen infrastructure planning<\/strong> between 2026 and 2035. Within this roadmap the focus will be on the backbone (industry) and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure (trucks, inland shipping\u2026). The project will map regional hydrogen demand<\/strong>, align infrastructure plans across borders, and develop a modular roadmap for stakeholders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Mobile laboratory<\/h2>\n

As quality of hydrogen is important, part of the project is the development of innovative hydrogen quality monitoring solutions<\/strong>, including a mobile laboratory and multi-gas analysis system. These tools will support cross-border pilot activities and contribute to the establishment of a \u2018Hydrogen Quality Competence Center\u2019<\/strong> at ZBT.<\/p>\n

By strengthening cooperation between industry, small SMEs, research institutions and public authorities, HY-Infra will create a platform for companies<\/strong> investing in hydrogen technologies, and reinforce the Meuse-Rhine region\u2019s position as an emerging European hydrogen innovation hub. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Knowledge exchange<\/h2>\n

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

HY-Infra contributes to broader European initiatives<\/strong> 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\u2019s hydrogen transition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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From needs assessment to quality assurance<\/h2>\n

Hy-Infra delivers concrete, implementation-oriented results<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n

As part of the project, ZBT is setting up an “H\u2082 quality” competence center<\/strong> – with mobile sampling systems, a mobile hydrogen laboratory, regular sample campaigns (including online monitoring) and a transnational database on demand, permits and quality data.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Project information<\/h2>\n

Project title<\/strong>: Hydrogen Infrastructure for the Meuse-Rhine region (Hy-Infra)<\/p>\n

Term:<\/strong> 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028<\/p>\n

Total budget:<\/strong> \u20ac 2.0 million, of which EU funding \u20ac 1.2 million<\/p>\n

Project partners:<\/strong><\/p>\n