Hartmut Rauen, Deputy Managing Director of the VDMA, comments on the import strategy for hydrogen and derivatives presented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection:

"The paper is a good inventory of the initiatives, funding programs and regulations that are relevant to the development of a global hydrogen market for Germany. It is also positive that hydrogen and derivatives are considered equally."

"What the strategy lacks are new measures, fresh impetus or even milestones that could boost global trade in hydrogen. It lacks a concrete roadmap for the future."

"In particular, there is a lack of ideas on how to remove the existing trade barrier created by EU regulation. Currently, carbon-based hydrogen derivatives cannot de facto be imported into the EU. How is Germany supposed to become a hydrogen hub if it is not possible to import the most important import carriers for H2 in the long term?"

Picture: Shutterstock