Erfurt becomes hydrogen capital: new plant for electrolysers opens!

Erfurt becomes hydrogen capital: new plant for electrolysers opens!

An exciting chapter for the industry in Erfurt has begun! On June 4, 2025, the Erfurt automotive supplier “Andritz Schuler Pressen” set the course with the opening of a new factory that is entirely dedicated to hydrogen technology. The focus of the new facility, which has an initial production capacity of around 1 gigawatt, is the production of electrolyzer stacks. These components are crucial for the production of green hydrogen and are intended to enable annual production of up to 200 stacks. Through this realignment, the company will respond to the increasingly tense conditions in the automotive industry, as thueringen24.de reports.

On a journey through time through the region's innovative strength, it also becomes clear that Andritz not only relies on hydrogen technology, but is also connected to the traditionally strong local industrial base. Solutions for the production of green hydrogen have been developed at the site since March 2025, according to information from andritz.com. Phase separators are also manufactured in the new “Gigafactory” and each component must pass strict pressure tests and quality controls. “The decision to build the Gigafactory in Erfurt is forward-looking and a sign of Thuringia’s economic future,” emphasizes Prime Minister Mario Voigt.

The role of hydrogen in the energy transition

But what is actually behind this hydrogen hype? Green hydrogen has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and is used in a wide range of sectors - from cars and trucks to aircraft and ships. It is clear: hydrogen technologies are not just a short-term trend, but also make a decisive contribution to the energy transition and climate goals. This assessment is underlined by the experts at Fraunhofer IWS, who emphasize the need to develop highly scalable production technologies for electrolyzers and fuel cells.

Production in Erfurt will not only create a few hundred jobs - around 100 employees will work in the hydrogen division - but also shows the clear connection to the industry's sustainability goals. The electrolyzers are manufactured based on technology from our partner HydrogenPro, with the first machines already being planned for low-CO2 steel production by Salzgitter AG. “Partnering for Transformation” is not only a motto, but also a mission that drives the industry forward.

A step into the future

The establishment of the Gigafactory in Erfurt not only strengthens the location, but also gives new impetus to the entire region. With an existing infrastructure that enables the efficient transport and production of electrolyzers, the basis has been created to actively address the challenges of the future. Schönbeck, CEO of Andritz Schuler, emphasizes that the hydrogen industry represents a promising perspective for economic development in Thuringia.

The focus remains on automotive press production, but the strategic realignment towards hydrogen is a sign of the innovative strength and adaptability of the company and the region. Erfurt is increasingly seen as the “Green Heart of Germany”, a designation that underlines the constant efforts to find sustainable industrialized solutions. So the future in Erfurt is all about hydrogen – let’s get going!