A joint venture between three Japanese companies has gained approval from the European Commission for its plans to establish a liquefied hydrogen supply chain. The venture, comprising a consortium of companies, has been given the green light to take control of an existing undertaking with the aim of developing this innovative supply chain.
The focus of this venture is on the liquefaction of hydrogen in Australia and its subsequent transportation to Japan. The European Commission, in its decision, highlighted that the impact on the European Economic Area is expected to be minimal, thus not raising any significant competition concerns.
The joint venture is set to acquire control over an established entity, which is currently involved in a project selected by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization’s Green Innovation Fund. This project, initiated in August 2021, is geared towards the commercialization of a liquefied hydrogen supply chain, with a specific focus on developing technology for liquefaction and transportation.
With an aim to achieve commercialization by the 2030s, the project seeks to establish an integrated international liquefied hydrogen supply chain spanning from Australia to Japan. The involvement of the consortium’s companies, including recent participation by one of them in 2023, underscores the commitment towards advancing this innovative endeavor.
Through this venture, the companies aim to support the scaling up of hydrogen liquefaction and transportation technology, paving the way for a sustainable and efficient international supply chain.
