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Air Liquide, in collaboration with TotalEnergies, will build a renewable hydrogen plant at the La Mède biorefinery in France. This ambitious project will produce 25,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year, contributing to the manufacture of biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With an investment of 150 million euros, the aim is to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 130,000 tonnes, marking a significant step towards the decarbonisation of the energy and transport sector.
Production based on circular economy principles
Although the details of the production method have not been fully specified, it has been announced that the unit will recycle co-products from the biorefinery, aligning with the principles of the circular economy. This could involve the use of organic waste to obtain biogas or biomethane, which would serve as feedstock for hydrogen production through steam methane reforming (SMR). This approach would ensure a significant reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG), while complying with EU regulations for renewable hydrogen, which require at least 70% lower emissions compared to conventional methods.
The transformation of La Mède
The La Mède biorefinery, located near Marseille, has been undergoing a transformation since 2015, when TotalEnergies invested €337 million to convert it into a dedicated biofuels hub. This project reinforces its evolution towards a green hydrogen production hub, aligned with the regional decarbonisation ambitions in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Vincent Stoquart, President of Refinery and Chemicals at TotalEnergies, highlighted the relevance of this plant in the company's sustainability strategy: "Almost ten years after the announcement of its conversion, La Mède continues its transformation and is becoming a low-carbon hydrogen production hub."
A joint commitment to the future
This is not the first hydrogen project between the two companies. In 2022, Air Liquide and TotalEnergies announced a collaboration to develop another hydrogen plant at the Grandpuits biorefinery. This new effort reinforces their joint commitment to the energy transition and the development of clean technologies to accelerate decarbonisation in Europe.
Production is expected to begin in 2028, consolidating La Mède as an example of innovation in the search for sustainable solutions for the future of energy.
