Strategies for integrating hydrogen as a resource and energy carrier into many economic sectors, including transportation, manufacturing, and power generation, are known as Hydrogen Integration Strategies. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and moving toward a more sustainable energy system are thought to be possible with the help of hydrogen.

Backward and Forward Hydrogen Integration Strategies

In the hydrogen sector, several major players are employing backward and forward integration strategies to strengthen their position in the value chain and boost their value capture. Frontward integration deals with expanding into end-user markets or downstream processes, while backward integration deals with managing the production of inputs or raw materials.

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Here are some examples of companies implementing these strategies:

Backward Integration:

1.   Plug Power: Top hydrogen fuel cell technology provider Plug Power acquired United Hydrogen Group Inc. to accomplish backward integration. Plug Power was able to vertically integrate into the hydrogen market through this deal. Because United Hydrogen operates a hydrogen manufacturing facility that uses steam methane reforming and electrolysis, Plug Power is able to secure a committed supply of hydrogen for its fuel cell devices.

2.   Air Liquide: International market for industrial gas Air Liquide's backward integration strategy includes investments in hydrogen generating technology. Utilizing sustainable energy, they have developed novel electrolysis techniques such as Alkaline electrolyzers and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) to produce hydrogen from water. Via its vertical integration into hydrogen production, Air Liquide provides a sustainable and safe hydrogen supply for a range of uses, including energy, business, and transportation.

Forward Integration:

1.   Hyundai Motor Group: One major automaker, Hyundai, is developing a large-scale hydrogen ecosystem as part of its forward integration plan. They are putting a lot of effort into developing the hydrogen infrastructure and have made hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) accessible, such as the Hyundai NEXO. Furthermore, Hyundai has formed a joint venture, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM), with the objective of leasing fuel cell electric trucks. Hyundai is providing a comprehensive program for zero-emission commercial vehicles as part of its vertical integration into the mobility and transportation industries through HHM.

2.   NEL ASA: Forward integration is being prioritized as NEL ASA, a Norwegian hydrogen company, expands its hydrogen refueling infrastructure. NEL's business encompasses the design, development, and production of hydrogen refueling stations. NEL offers turnkey solutions to support the growth of hydrogen fuelling networks, which in turn drives the market expansion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Infrastructure for hydrogen is developed more quickly when NEL stations are deployed globally.

Hybrid Integration:

1.   Siemens Energy: The global energy technology company Siemens Energy has employed a hybrid integration approach that combines forward and backward integration. These days, their expanded offering includes both hydrogen gas turbine and electrolysis technology. Siemens Energy can produce green hydrogen thanks to their electrolysis solutions, even though they can use hydrogen as a clean energy carrier thanks to their hydrogen gas turbines. Thanks to this hybrid integration method, Siemens Energy is able to provide integrated solutions for power generation, storage, and hydrogen production.

2.   Linde plc: Hydrogen production and delivery are domains of leading industrial gas company Linde plc, which has embraced a hybrid integration strategy. Linde uses steam methane reforming as one of several methods to run large-scale hydrogen generating facilities. To distribute hydrogen, they also have a huge pipeline and transportation network. Thanks to their hybrid integration, Linde is able to supply hydrogen to a range of end users with a reliable supply chain.

These examples demonstrate the use of backward and forward integration strategies by companies in the hydrogen sector to bolster their market positions, ensure supply chain management, and optimize value at different stages of the value chain. These strategies support the development of comprehensive answers and the utilization of hydrogen as a clean energy source.

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