Aers Energy België Selects Air Products to Build a State-of-the-Art Hydrogen Refueling Station in Zeebrugge, Belgium

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May 15, 2023, 10:15 ET

The station will be the first large-scale, public liquid hydrogen refueling station for trucks in Europe
Hydrogen for road transport takes another step forward through collaboration between Air Products and Aers Energy België

DIEGEM, Belgium, May 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) has signed an agreement with Aers Energy België to develop a multi-fuel, hydrogen refueling station for trucks. It will be located on a concession in the port of Zeebrugge, which Aers Energy België has been awarded. Within this location, Aers will also operate a new secure truck stop, rest area, convenience store and restaurant.

Aers Energy België emphasized sustainability: "Hydrogen will play an important part in significantly reducing CO₂ (carbon dioxide) emissions from road transport. To further develop this part of the project, a partnership with Air Products was sought. This company has a great deal of expertise in the field and, thanks to its investments in new green hydrogen production capacity, can provide the necessary guarantees for a stable supply," said Jackij Aers of Aers Energy België.

Liquid hydrogen

The new station will be the first commercial-scale hydrogen refueling station in Europe with liquid hydrogen storage. It will be built and operated by Air Products in addition to other liquid hydrogen refueling stations the company is developing throughout Europe. The project itself, is part of a wider strategy to support Belgium and Europe's sustainable development and ambition towards CO₂-free heavy-duty road transport.

By building a hydrogen refueling station on the TENT-T core network in Zeebrugge – which largely exceeds the required minimum capacity of 1 ton of hydrogen per day – Air Products is contributing to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) objectives. When the station's capacity is utilized, it will save approximately 8-11 kt of CO₂ equivalent per year by displacing diesel volume.

"Our technology has already been used in more than 250 projects worldwide and we are proud to be working with Aers Energy België on this important project in Belgium," commented Kurt Lefevere, Air Products' Vice President for Benelux, Germany and France. "The choice of hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles, compared to other technologies, allows for faster refueling, greater vehicle range and the elimination of all CO₂ tailpipe and other criteria pollutant emissions. Air Products has over 60 years of experience in hydrogen production, equipment, logistics and services and is a first-mover in the energy transition with over $11 billion dollars of announced investment in clean hydrogen projects around the globe."

Large number of trucks in the port

The reason Aers Energy België was awarded the concession in the Port, was its ability to offer a solution to safely park the many trucks waiting to leave the port or coming to load or unload in the port area. In addition to the hydrogen refueling station and a truck parking lot with 135 spaces, drivers will have access to sanitary facilities, a store, and a catering service.

Tom Hautekiet, Chief Commercial Officer Port of Antwerp-Bruges, says: "All forms of transport, from shipping to road transport, are expected to be almost completely CO₂ neutral by 2050. For freight transport, hydrogen is a clean and viable alternative to diesel. But of course, refueling stations must be available. We are delighted that Air Products is taking the lead in developing Europe's first liquid hydrogen refueling station in the Port of Zeebrugge. This shows that Air Products is already ready for the hydrogen truck of the future."

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE:APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets. The Company has two growth pillars driven by sustainability. Air Products' base business provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food. The Company also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest industrial gas and carbon-capture projects, supplying world-scale clean hydrogen for global transportation, industrial markets, and the broader energy transition. Additionally, Air Products is the world leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, and globally -provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers.

The Company had fiscal 2022 sales of $12.7 billion from operations in over 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of over $60 billion. More than 21,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and reimagine what's possible to address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

About Aers Energy België

Aers Energy België is an independent family-owned company for nearly 100 years. Since its establishment in 1927, the company has grown into a full-fledged and complete energy supplier. From dispensing cans of lamp oil in Oostburg and the surrounding area to installing electric charging stations in Poland. Today, Aers consists of 4 companies: Aers Olie, Aers Energy, Aers Retail and Aers Lubricants. For more information, visit www.aers.nl

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

SOURCE Air Products