The Global hydrogen generation market size was USD 145.67 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to USD 220.37 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030.


The report suggests that the increasing demand for hydrogen in various industries, coupled with the need for clean energy solutions, is driving the growth of the market.

The global hydrogen generation market refers to the production and distribution of hydrogen gas, which is used in various industries, including energy, transportation, and manufacturing. The market includes various technologies and processes for generating hydrogen, such as steam methane reforming, electrolysis, and coal gasification.

Some key players in the global hydrogen generation market include Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Linde plc, Air Liquide S.A., Hydrogenics Corporation, and Praxair, Inc. The market is highly competitive, with several companies investing in research and development to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen generation technologies.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the market, with China and Japan leading the way in terms of demand for hydrogen in the energy and transportation sectors. North America and Europe are also significant markets, with a focus on using hydrogen for decarbonization initiatives and renewable energy storage.

Market Dynamics

Driving Factors

There are several driving factors behind the growth of the global hydrogen generation market:

Government initiatives: Governments around the world are promoting the use of hydrogen as part of their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many countries have implemented policies and regulations to encourage the development and adoption of hydrogen technologies.

Industry demand: Several industries such as transportation, power generation, and manufacturing are looking for clean and efficient energy sources. Hydrogen is seen as a promising alternative to fossil fuels and is being increasingly used in fuel cells, which provide a high energy density and low emissions.

Energy storage: Hydrogen can be used as an energy storage medium, allowing excess energy generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar to be stored and used when needed. This is becoming increasingly important as the use of renewable energy grows.

Restraining Factors

There are several restraining factors that may limit the growth of the global hydrogen generation market:

Safety concerns: Hydrogen is highly flammable and requires careful handling to ensure safety. This can increase the cost of handling and storing hydrogen and may limit its use in some applications.

Limited storage capacity: Hydrogen has a low energy density and requires large storage tanks, which can be expensive and take up significant space. This can limit the use of hydrogen in applications where space is limited.

Competition from other clean energy sources: Hydrogen is not the only clean energy source available, and it faces competition from other sources such as batteries, biofuels, and other renewable energy sources.

Challenges

The global hydrogen generation market faces several challenges, including:

Cost reduction: The high cost of hydrogen production is a significant challenge that needs to be addressed to make hydrogen more competitive with traditional fuels. The industry needs to develop more cost-effective technologies to lower the overall cost of production.

Public perception: There may be public perception issues around hydrogen, particularly around safety concerns and the use of fossil fuels in the production process. Public education and awareness campaigns may be necessary to address these concerns.

Regulatory barriers: There may be regulatory barriers that limit the development and adoption of hydrogen technologies. Governments may need to implement supportive policies and regulations to encourage the growth of the industry.

Opportunity Factors

The global hydrogen generation market presents several opportunities for growth and innovation, including:

Decarbonization initiatives: Hydrogen is seen as a key solution to reduce carbon emissions in various sectors such as transportation, power generation, and industrial processes. The global shift towards decarbonization presents a significant opportunity for the growth of the hydrogen generation market.

Industrial processes: Hydrogen is used in several industrial processes, including refining, chemical production, and steel manufacturing. As industries focus on reducing their carbon emissions, there is potential for growth in the use of hydrogen in these processes.

Innovation and R&D: The hydrogen generation market is an area of significant innovation and research and development. There is potential for new and improved technologies to emerge, increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen production. This presents opportunities for companies to invest in R&D and develop new products and services.

Segmentation Analysis

Product Outlook

SMR is the most common technology used for hydrogen production, accounting for around 90% of global hydrogen production. SMR involves the use of natural gas and steam to produce hydrogen.

Electrolysis involves the use of electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Electrolysis can use renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power, making it a potentially carbon-free method of hydrogen production.

Partial oxidation involves the partial combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The carbon monoxide can be further reacted with steam to produce additional hydrogen.

Gasification involves the reaction of a solid or liquid hydrocarbon fuel with steam and oxygen to produce a gas that contains hydrogen and other gases such as carbon monoxide and methane.

Biomass gasification involves the reaction of organic matter such as wood, agricultural waste, or municipal solid waste with steam and oxygen to produce a gas that contains hydrogen and other gases.

Application Outlook

Transportation as a fuel for fuel cell vehicles, which provide a high energy density and low emissions. The transportation segment includes cars, buses, trucks, and trains.

Power Generation as a fuel for power generation through fuel cells or combustion turbines. The power generation segment includes stationary power applications, such as backup power for buildings, as well as remote power applications, such as power for off-grid locations.

Industrial Processes including refining, chemical production, and steel manufacturing. The industrial processes segment includes applications where hydrogen is used as a feedstock or as a reducing agent.

Energy Storage allowing excess energy generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar to be stored and used when needed. The energy storage segment includes applications where hydrogen is used to store energy from renewable sources.

Hydrogen is also used in other applications such as electronics, food processing, and metal production. The other applications segment includes all other applications where hydrogen is used.

Regional Analysis

The North American region is expected to witness significant growth in the hydrogen generation market due to the increasing demand for clean energy solutions and the presence of well-established players in the market. The United States is expected to be the key contributor to the growth of the hydrogen generation market in North America.

The European region is expected to witness significant growth in the hydrogen generation market due to the stringent regulations imposed by the European Union to reduce carbon emissions. The region is also home to several leading hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers and has several initiatives in place to promote the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness rapid growth in the hydrogen generation market due to the increasing demand for energy and the rising need for clean energy solutions. China, Japan, and South Korea are expected to be the key contributors to the growth of the hydrogen generation market in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Middle East and Africa region is expected to witness significant growth in the hydrogen generation market due to the abundant availability of natural gas, which can be used as a feedstock for hydrogen production. The region is also home to several large-scale hydrogen production facilities.

The Latin American region is expected to witness steady growth in the hydrogen generation market due to the increasing demand for clean energy solutions and the rising need for energy security. Brazil and Mexico are expected to be the key contributors to the growth of the hydrogen generation market in Latin America.

Scope Of Report:

The Global Hydrogen Generation Market has been segmented into:

By Technology

• Steam Methane Reforming
• Coal Gasification
• Others

By Application

• Methanol Production
• Ammonia Production
• Petroleum Refining
• Transportation
• Power Generation
• Others

By Systems

• Captive
• Merchant

By Source

• Natural Gas
• Coal
• Biomass
• Water

By Region

• North America
• US
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• UK
• Nordic Countries
• Denmark
• Finland
• Iceland
• Sweden
• Norway
• Benelux Union
• Belgium
• The Netherlands
• Luxembourg
• Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Southeast Asia
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Rest of Southeast Asia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America

Market Players 

The global hydrogen generation market is highly competitive and fragmented, with numerous players vying for market share. Some of the key companies in the market are:

• Air Liquide International S.
• Air Products and Chemicals, Inc
• Hydrogenics Corporation
• INOX Air Products Ltd.
• Iwatani Corporation
• Linde Plc
• Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
• Messer
• SOL Group
• Tokyo Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Air Liquide is a leading player in the hydrogen generation market, with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. The company offers a range of hydrogen production technologies, including steam methane reforming, electrolysis, and partial oxidation.

Linde is another leading player in the hydrogen generation market, with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. The company offers a range of hydrogen production technologies, including steam methane reforming, electrolysis, and membrane separation.

Air Products and Chemicals is a global leader in the hydrogen generation market, with a strong presence in North America and Asia. The company offers a range of hydrogen production technologies, including steam methane reforming, partial oxidation, and gasification.

Siemens Energy is a leading player in the hydrogen generation market, with a strong presence in Europe and North America. The company offers a range of hydrogen production technologies, including steam methane reforming, electrolysis, and gasification.

Hydrogenics Corporation is a leading player in the hydrogen generation market, with a strong presence in North America and Europe. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis systems for hydrogen production.

Plug Power is a leading player in the hydrogen generation market, with a strong presence in North America. The company specializes in the development and manufacture of fuel cell systems for a range of applications, including material handling, stationary power, and transportation.

Nel ASA is a leading player in the hydrogen generation market, with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. The company offers a range of hydrogen production technologies, including electrolysis and alkaline water electrolysis.

Other notable players in the market include Ballard Power Systems Inc., McPhy Energy S.A., ITM Power plc, and Green Hydrogen Systems A/S.

The hydrogen generation market is characterized by intense competition and a high degree of innovation, as players seek to develop more efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production technologies to meet the growing demand for clean energy solutions.

Strategic Developments

In February 2021, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire General Electric's gasification business and technology, which includes the rights to GE's gasification technology portfolio and related contracts.

In April 2021, Linde plc announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire the hydrogen and electrolysis business of ITM Power plc, a leading player in the hydrogen generation market.

In May 2021, Plug Power Inc. announced that it had acquired United Hydrogen Group Inc., a leading supplier of industrial gases and hydrogen storage and distribution equipment.

In June 2021, Siemens Energy AG announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Energy Systems Catapult Ltd., a UK-based energy innovation center focused on developing and testing low-carbon technologies.

In September 2021, Air Liquide announced that it had acquired a majority stake in H2V Normandy, a French company that specializes in the production of green hydrogen using renewable energy sources.

In November 2021, Mitsubishi Power announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of PW Power Systems, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of gas turbines and other power generation equipment.

In December 2021, Nel ASA announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire the electrolysis business of Proton OnSite, a leading supplier of hydrogen generation equipment.