Nobian Achieves Landmark RFNBO Certification for Green Hydrogen
The Hague, Tuesday, 22 April 2025.
Nobian becomes the first large-scale European producer to receive RFNBO certification for green hydrogen, supporting EU sustainability goals and offering significantly lower carbon emissions.
Pioneering Green Hydrogen Production
On April 21, 2025, Nobian’s Rotterdam facility achieved a significant milestone as Europe’s largest RFNBO-certified green hydrogen plant. The chlor-alkali electrolysis facility produces 14000 tons of hydrogen annually, equivalent to a 140 MW electrolysis capacity [1][2]. This certification, issued by independent verifier Normec QS, confirms the facility’s compliance with stringent EU sustainability criteria for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) [3].
Environmental Impact and Production Process
The environmental benefits of Nobian’s green hydrogen production are substantial, with emissions ten times lower than traditional grey hydrogen production [4]. The process utilizes local renewable electricity sources at their Rotterdam plant, demonstrating a significant advancement in sustainable chemical production [2]. According to Senior Vice President Chlor-Alkali, Markus Mingenbach, this achievement aligns with Nobian’s ‘Grow Greener Together’ strategy and positions the company as a leader in green hydrogen production [1].
EU Compliance and Future Targets
The certification arrives at a crucial time as the EU mandates that by 2030, 42% of industrial hydrogen use must come from RFNBO sources, with 1% of transport fuels required to originate from these renewable sources [3]. Julien Courtois, Manager Product Development Hydrogen at Nobian, has indicated plans to expand certification to additional chlor-alkali plants across the Netherlands and Germany [1], strengthening the company’s position in Europe’s emerging green hydrogen market.
Market Implications
While green hydrogen currently commands a premium price of two to four times that of grey hydrogen [3], the RFNBO certification positions Nobian advantageously in the evolving sustainable fuel market. The certification process, completed through the International Sustainability and Carbon (ISCC) EU system, provides customers with assured verification that the hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources [2], marking a significant step toward transparent and sustainable hydrogen production in Europe.