RCT Hydrogen plans to begin manufacturing electrolyzer stacks in Thuringia, Germany, in the first quarter of 2026, marking a key step in expanding domestic green hydrogen production. The company is setting up the facility after signing cooperation agreements with an experienced production partner in eastern Germany. Once operational, the plant will have an annual manufacturing capacity of 250 megawatts, reports Indian Chemical News.
The first project under this initiative will involve installing a 2.5 MW electrolyzer in the first quarter of 2026. Delivery and commissioning of the system for a German industrial customer are scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. The company is deploying these systems under a hydrogen-as-a-service model and is currently planning additional projects with a combined capacity of more than 30 MW.
RCT Hydrogen’s managing director, Prof. Dr. Peter Fath, said the move marks a major step towards building reliable and long-lasting electrolyzer technology in Germany, which is essential for producing green hydrogen at competitive costs.
The company uses high-efficiency alkaline pressure electrolyzers designed to meet German manufacturing standards. The TÜV-certified technology has already attracted industrial customers. In December, RCT Hydrogen signed an agreement to supply two 2.5 MW electrolyzer units that will be directly integrated into customer production processes.
According to Dr. Eric Rüland, vice president for sales and products, the availability of such systems could significantly expand the use of hydrogen in industry by making it more affordable. He said this is particularly relevant for hydrogen-as-a-service solutions, where RCT Hydrogen and its partners handle hydrogen production at customer sites, allowing industrial users to buy hydrogen at fixed prices.
RCT Hydrogen has also identified partners across Europe to expand this model, with more projects expected in the coming months. While hydrogen prices per kilowatt hour remain about 20% to 50% higher than natural gas, Rüland noted that this gap is partly offset by carbon pricing, which is currently around €83 per tonne of carbon dioxide.
The shift from conventional grey hydrogen to low-carbon or green hydrogen is especially attractive for industries that already rely on hydrogen. Customers that previously depended on hydrogen delivered by trucks and trailers could see cost benefits by switching to on-site hydrogen production under the hydrogen-as-a-service model.
Cost efficiency is further supported by the use of optimized production equipment. RCT Hydrogen works with its Chinese partner Guofuhee, which supplies key components and has extensive experience in hydrogen equipment manufacturing. The company said it has built partnerships across the value chain, with most production steps planned in Germany and other parts of Europe.
Control systems for hydrogen production and software for managing electricity and energy flows are being developed in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries.
