A historical-statistical study by Dr. Dietmar Bleidick (“Die Energieregion Ruhrgebiet” [The Ruhr Region as an Energy Region], 2023) shows how deep the region's expertise goes – and why the Ruhr region is once again at the center of Germany's hydrogen economy today.
From coal chemistry to molecular energy: Three stages in the history of hydrogen
Hydrogen was already a key raw material in the chemical industry during the interwar period. Three key processes were developed in the Ruhr region that are still in use today:
- Bergius hydrogenation: liquefaction of coal into synthetic gasoline
- Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: Production of fuels based on carbon monoxide and hydrogen
- Oxo synthesis: Production of precursors for detergents and plastics
These processes established the Ruhr region's industrial hydrogen expertise – long before the term “energy transition” existed.
In the decades following World War II, hydrogen was systematically used for industrial supply. By 1967, the Ruhr region already had the world's largest hydrogen pipeline network, covering around 677 kilometers.
One example: In 1966, the Hüls company in Marl (now part of the Evonik Group) produced around 425 million cubic meters of hydrogen—around 95% of Germany's total production at the time. This infrastructure formed the backbone for chemical and refinery operations between Marl, Gelsenkirchen, and Cologne.
In the wake of the energy transition and the increasing decarbonization of energy-intensive industries, the Ruhr region is currently undergoing a transformation into a hydrogen region. In doing so, the region is not only building on its chemical-industrial tradition, but also specifically leveraging existing infrastructure, high-performance companies, innovative research capacities, and economic networks:
- Thyssenkrupp Steel is building a hydrogen-compatible direct reduction plant in Duisburg to produce climate-neutral steel.
- GET H2: A supraregional hydrogen project with central infrastructure in the Ruhr region
- A dense research landscape that supports the ramp-up of hydrogen with innovative approaches (e.g., Fraunhofer UMSICHT in Oberhausen, Center for Fuel Cell Technology in Duisburg, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Gelsenkirchen, Gas and Heat Institute in Essen)
These developments show that the region not only has industrial experience, but also the necessary willingness to transform.
Why hydrogen is more than just a trend in the Ruhr region
The region has proven that it can actively shape technological developments – in the past through the use of hydrogen as a chemical raw material, and today also as an emission-free energy source. The application has changed – the expertise has remained.
At a time when Germany needs to become less dependent on fossil fuel imports and energy-intensive industries want to operate in a climate-neutral manner, the Ruhr region has a real opportunity to take on a leading role in the national and European hydrogen economy – based on its historical strengths and current innovative power.
These locational advantages make the Ruhr region the ideal place to invest in the hydrogen economy:
- Existing infrastructure (pipelines, industrial sites)
- Strategically favorable location in Europe
- High energy demand in close proximity
- Dense research network
- Settlement areas for large-scale projects
Source: Dr. Dietmar Bleidick. 2023. The Ruhr Region as an Energy Region: A Historical and Statistical Study. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co.KG: Baden-Baden.