The Europe Hydrogen Production by Coal Market was valued at USD 834 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 743 Million by 2032, declining at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of -1.6% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This contraction reflects the continent’s accelerated shift toward renewable-energy-based green hydrogen, driven by stringent EU decarbonization policies and ambitious climate targets under the European Green Deal. However, coal-based hydrogen, particularly when coupled with advanced carbon capture technologies, remains a transitional energy solution for certain hard-to-abate industrial sectors and regions with existing coal infrastructure.

As Europe navigates this complex energy transition, the landscape is defined by a mix of established industrial gas giants, energy majors, and specialized technology providers. These companies are balancing the operation and gradual phase-down of conventional coal gasification assets with significant investments in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Europe Hydrogen Production by Coal Industry—key players who are managing legacy assets while strategically pivoting towards a cleaner hydrogen future.

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🔟 1. Air Liquide

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Hydrogen from Coal Gasification, Cryogenic Hydrogen Purification, CCUS Solutions

Air Liquide is a global leader in industrial gases and a major producer of hydrogen in Europe, operating several large-scale gasification facilities, including its plant in Leuna, Germany, which historically used coal as a feedstock. The company possesses deep expertise in hydrogen production, purification, and distribution logistics. While actively expanding its green hydrogen portfolio, Air Liquide continues to optimize its existing coal-based assets, integrating carbon capture technologies to reduce emissions and extend their viability within Europe’s regulatory framework.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investing in large-scale CCUS projects to decarbonize existing hydrogen production assets.
• Active member of European clean hydrogen alliances, aiming for carbon-neutral hydrogen production by 2050.
• Developing hydrogen valleys that may integrate blue hydrogen (from fossil fuels with CCUS) as a bridge to green hydrogen.

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9️⃣ 2. Linde Group

Headquarters: Guildford, United Kingdom / Munich, Germany
Key Offering: Coal Gasification Technology (Linde Engineering), Hydrogen Supply, Carbon Capture Systems

Linde, through its engineering division, is a world-leading provider of coal gasification technology, having designed and built numerous hydrogen production plants across Europe and globally. The company not only supplies technology but also operates its own production facilities and pipeline networks. Linde’s dual role as a technology licensor and an operator gives it a unique vantage point in the market, allowing it to drive efficiency improvements in coal-based production while pioneering clean hydrogen solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering blue hydrogen projects by retrofitting existing gasification plants with carbon capture.
• Investing heavily in electrolyzer technology for green hydrogen, signaling a long-term transition strategy.
• Focusing on improving the energy efficiency of gasification processes to reduce the carbon footprint per unit of hydrogen.

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8️⃣ 3. Siemens Energy

Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Key Offering: Advanced Gasification Systems, Syngas Treatment, Plant Retrofitting Services

Siemens Energy is a pivotal technology enabler in the coal-to-hydrogen value chain, providing state-of-the-art gasification islands, turbomachinery, and automation solutions. While not a hydrogen producer itself, the company’s technology is foundational for many operational plants in Europe, particularly in Germany and Eastern Europe. Siemens Energy is at the forefront of developing advanced gasification systems designed for higher efficiency and better integration with carbon capture processes, which is critical for the future of blue hydrogen.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing hybrid energy systems that can co-process renewables with coal or biomass for lower-emission hydrogen.
• Key partner in European flagship projects aiming to demonstrate industrial-scale coal gasification with >90% carbon capture.
• Strategic focus on making gasification technology compatible with hydrogen-rich syngas for cleaner production pathways.

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7️⃣ 4. Shell

Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands / London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Hydrogen for Refining, Blue Hydrogen Project Development, CCS Hubs

Shell utilizes hydrogen extensively in its European refinery operations, a portion of which has been produced via gasification of refinery residues and, historically, coal. The company is now a leading advocate and developer of large-scale blue hydrogen projects, such as the planned Hydrogen Holland I facility, which will initially use natural gas with CCUS but demonstrates the infrastructure relevant for coal gasification with capture. Shell’s extensive CCS ambitions are directly applicable to making coal-based hydrogen more sustainable.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investing in massive CCS clusters in the North Sea (e.g., Northern Lights project) to enable blue hydrogen production.
• Aiming to achieve net-zero emissions from its operations by 2050, which includes transforming its legacy hydrogen production.
• Exploring gasification of waste and biomass with CCS as a potential successor to coal-based routes.

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Europe Hydrogen Production by Coal Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Uniper

Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
Key Offering: Hydrogen from Lignite Gasification, Energy Portfolio Management, H2 Infrastructure

Uniper, a significant German energy utility, operates key assets in regions with abundant lignite (brown coal) reserves. The company has been actively involved in projects exploring the conversion of lignite into hydrogen, viewing it as a potential pathway for a just transition in coal-mining regions like Lusatia. Uniper’s strategy involves leveraging existing coal assets and associated infrastructure to produce hydrogen coupled with CCS, thereby creating a bridge fuel while supporting regional economic stability during the energy transition.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Leading the “Green Wilhelmshaven” and other projects aimed at creating hydrogen hubs linked to CCS infrastructure.
• Partnering in research initiatives like the “Hydrogen Lab Leuna” to test hydrogen production and integration from various feedstocks.
• Committing to phase out coal-fired power generation in Germany by 2029, repurposing sites for hydrogen and energy storage.

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5️⃣ 6. RWE

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: Lignite-based Syngas Production, Project Development for H2 from Coal

As one of Europe’s largest electricity producers with significant lignite operations, RWE is exploring pathways to convert its coal assets into sources of low-carbon hydrogen. The company is involved in several German and EU-funded projects that investigate the technical and economic feasibility of coal gasification with carbon capture. RWE’s extensive generation portfolio and grid connections position it to potentially become a major supplier of hydrogen, especially for industrial clusters in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investigating co-gasification of coal with biomass and waste plastics to reduce the carbon intensity of hydrogen production.
• Actively developing offshore wind projects to feed future green hydrogen production, balancing its legacy operations.
• Engaged in the “GET H2” initiative, which aims to build a cross-border hydrogen infrastructure in Northwest Europe.

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4️⃣ 7. Equinor

Headquarters: Stavanger, Norway
Key Offering: Blue Hydrogen Expertise, Offshore CCS, Hydrogen & Ammonia Value Chains

While not a coal-based hydrogen producer per se, Norway’s Equinor is a critical player in the ecosystem that could enable it. The company is a European leader in carbon capture and storage, with projects like Northern Lights designed to store CO2 from industrial sources across Europe. This makes Equinor an essential partner for any company looking to produce blue hydrogen from coal, as it provides the viable, permanent sequestration necessary for the technology to be considered low-carbon. Equinor is actively developing its own blue hydrogen projects using natural gas.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing large-scale blue hydrogen production with CCS at its H2H Saltend project in the UK.
• Providing open-access CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure, which is crucial for coal-based hydrogen with CCUS.
• Investing in hydrogen and ammonia value chains to create market demand for low-carbon hydrogen, regardless of source.

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3️⃣ 8. Engie

Headquarters: Courbevoie, France
Key Offering: Hydrogen Project Development, Multi-Energy Solutions, Gas Grid Expertise

Engie, a major French utility, has historically been involved in hydrogen production from various feedstocks across Europe. While its focus has shifted decisively toward renewable hydrogen, the company’s deep expertise in gas infrastructure, project development, and industrial energy management is relevant for managing the transition of existing coal-based hydrogen assets. Engie plays a key role in developing regional hydrogen ecosystems that could integrate various production sources, including potentially decarbonized coal-based hydrogen during a transitional phase.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Aiming to develop 4 GW of renewable hydrogen capacity by 2030, reducing reliance on fossil-based production.
• Leading projects to blend hydrogen into existing natural gas grids, creating initial demand that could be supplied by various low-carbon sources.
• Focusing on industrial decarbonization partnerships, which is the primary market for transitional blue hydrogen.

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2️⃣ 9. Vattenfall

Headquarters: Solna, Sweden
Key Offering: Fossil-Free Energy, Hydrogen for Steel Decarbonization (Hybrit partner)

Vattenfall, a Swedish state-owned utility, has completely phased out coal from its power generation and is a champion of fossil-free energy. Its relevance in this market stems from its role in the HYBRIT initiative, which aims to produce fossil-free steel using green hydrogen. This creates a powerful demand signal that ultimately pressures all carbon-intensive hydrogen production methods, including coal-based. Vattenfall’s journey away from coal exemplifies the market direction, making it an influential force in setting sustainability standards for hydrogen offtakers in heavy industry.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Co-developing the world’s first fossil-free steel value chain, creating a premium market for green hydrogen.
• Investing in offshore wind and electrolysis to produce the green hydrogen required for industrial clients.
• Advocating for strong carbon pricing and policies that disadvantage high-emission hydrogen production.

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1️⃣ 10. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Headquarters: Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA (Significant European Operations)
Key Offering: World-scale Gasification Projects, Hydrogen Supply Contracts, Liquid Hydrogen Logistics

Air Products is a global giant in hydrogen production and supply, with several major gasification complexes worldwide. In Europe, the company is a key supplier to refineries and chemical plants. While its newer mega-projects (like in Saudi Arabia or Louisiana) are gas-based, the company’s unparalleled experience in building, owning, and operating large-scale gasification facilities gives it a unique capability to manage coal-based assets efficiently or convert them to alternative feedstocks. Their focus is on securing long-term, large-volume hydrogen supply contracts, which currently include production from various sources.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Announcing multi-billion dollar investments in blue hydrogen projects in the US and Canada, applying lessons relevant to Europe.
• Developing its own blue hydrogen production and CCS model to offer low-carbon solutions to industrial customers.
• Expanding its liquid hydrogen capacity and logistics network in Europe to support the hydrogen economy’s growth.

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Europe Hydrogen Production by Coal Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Coal-Based Hydrogen in Europe is Transitional and Technology-Driven

The Europe Hydrogen Production by Coal market is at a critical juncture, defined by managed decline and technological adaptation. While the overall market value is contracting, strategic activity is high as companies seek to extract value from legacy assets and position themselves for a clean hydrogen future. The role of coal-based hydrogen is increasingly seen not as a long-term solution but as a transitional feedstock that can be decarbonized through CCUS to produce blue hydrogen, providing a bridge for hard-to-electrify industries.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Blue Hydrogen as a Bridge: Intensive R&D and pilot projects focused on integrating >90% effective CCUS with coal gasification to create certified low-carbon blue hydrogen.
• Regional Divergence: Accelerated phase-out in Western Europe vs. prolonged, CCUS-enabled use in coal-dependent regions of Poland, Germany, and parts of Eastern Europe.
• Infrastructure Repurposing: Leveraging existing coal mining sites, gasification plants, and pipeline networks for hydrogen production and distribution to reduce transition costs.
• Policy-Driven Economics: Market viability increasingly dependent on EU ETS carbon prices, CCUS subsidies, and strict sustainability criteria for hydrogen (e.g., EU RFNBO standards).

Get Full Report Here:
Europe Hydrogen Production by Coal Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not merely managing the sunset of an industry; they are actively engineering the transition pathway. Their investments in carbon capture, partnerships for CO2 storage, and parallel development of green hydrogen projects are shaping how Europe will balance energy security, industrial competitiveness, and climate goals in the coming decade. The future belongs to clean hydrogen, and these market leaders are navigating the complex journey to get there.