Austrian research project “H2Pioneer“: Green hydrogen f

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Austrian research project “H2Pioneer“: Green hydrogen for the semiconductor industry

Business & Financial Press

Aug 18, 2021

August 18, 2021 - Semiconductor company Infineon Technologies Austria and industrial gases and engineering company Linde have signed a contract to build a plant for sustainably produced hydrogen in the semiconductor industry. Planned as part of the "H2Pioneer" research project, the demonstration plant for the production of high-purity hydrogen from renewable energy sources in Villach will go into operation in early 2022.

The semiconductor industry is one of the most dynamic, technically demanding and competitive industries in the world with high growth potential. Infineon is currently expanding production capacity at its Villach site and investing 1.6 billion euros in a new high-tech chip factory for power electronics ("energy-saving chips"). As demand for microelectronics solutions increases, so does the need for the gases and chemicals required in production - including high-purity hydrogen as a process gas. This hydrogen, which was previously delivered by truck from Germany, will then be generated directly at Infineon's production site in Villach from renewable energies.

Thomas Reisinger, Board Member for Operations at Infineon Technologies Austria, sees the hydrogen plant as an integral part of a sustainable site expansion: "Today, resource-efficient production is a key lever on the path to climate neutrality. With the start of production of our new chip factory for power electronics at the beginning of August 2021, the demand for hydrogen for the manufacturing process will also increase continuously. With the implementation of the electrolyzer plant at Infineon's Villach site, we are prepared for the future in two respects: with an important contribution to climate protection as well as the necessary security of supply."

Funded research project

The industrial partners Linde, Infineon Technologies Austria and VERBUND, together with their research partners HyCentA Research GmbH, the Energy Institute at Johannes Kepler University (JKU) Linz and the WIVA P&G showcase region, are driving this sustainable solution forward as an important step towards a "Tech for Green Industry": The project is being funded as part of the Climate and Energy Fund's RTI initiative "Showcase Energy Region", endowed with funds from the Ministry of Climate Protection (BMK).

Austrian Federal Minister of Climate Protection Leonore Gewessler: "Hydrogen from renewable energies will play an important role in achieving climate neutrality by 2040, especially in industry. This is because emissions must be reduced in all economic sectors. By investing and promoting energy innovations, domestic industrial companies are also making an important contribution to the economic recovery after the corona crisis."

Theresia Vogel, Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Fund: "Green hydrogen is an extremely scarce commodity. Thanks to H2Pioneer, a lighthouse is being created that will demonstrate the advantages hydrogen brings to industry internationally. The partners involved, a strong and powerful consortium, are creating a highly innovative project that will contribute significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gases in Austria. At the same time, it opens up export opportunities for domestic companies on the world market."

Implementation starts

The design, construction and operation of the first plant for on-site production of green hydrogen in the semiconductor industry is being carried out from a single source by Linde, a global market leader in the field of hydrogen technology. The entire plant consists of a containerized PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysis plant, which Linde will deliver to Villach on a turnkey basis. Linde processes the gas produced there in a cryogenic process so that high-purity hydrogen can be provided to Infineon. In addition, Linde is supplying a liquid hydrogen supply system to ensure round-the-clock delivery to the semiconductor production facility. Using sustainably generated electricity, the plant can produce up to 800 kg of green hydrogen per day.

"We are pleased to be working with Infineon to advance the use of green hydrogen in the semiconductor industry," says Richard Hagenfeldt, Managing Director of Linde Electronics GmbH. "The long-term sustainable alignment of production is of high importance to Linde because the business success of our customers and thus our own success depend on it. The use of our plant experts and our advanced technologies are essential building blocks that contribute to sustainable power generation in the semiconductor industry," Hagenfeldt added.

Philipp Schautschick, Head of Engineering at Linde Electronics, explains: "Linde is proud to be a pioneer in the production of green hydrogen for the semiconductor industry. With this plant, we are able to meet the increasing customer demand for high-purity hydrogen in an environmentally sustainable way, thus achieving significant CO ₂ reductions in production. We see this as a significant milestone on the way to more sustainability and a low CO ₂ semiconductor industry."