Air Products has signed an agreement with Aers Energy België to develop a multi-fuel, H₂ refueling station for trucks. It will be located on a concession in the port of Zeebrugge, which Aers Energy België has been awarded. Within this location, Aers will also operate a new secure truck stop, rest area, convenience store and restaurant.

"H₂ will play an important part in significantly reducing CO₂ emissions from road transport. To further develop this part of the project, a partnership with Air Products was sought. This company has a great deal of expertise in the field and, thanks to its investments in new green H₂ production capacity, can provide the necessary guarantees for a stable supply," said Jackij Aers of Aers Energy België.

The new station will be the first commercial-scale H₂ refueling station in Europe with liquid H₂ storage.  It will be built and operated by Air Products in addition to other liquid H₂ refueling stations the company is developing throughout Europe. The project itself, is part of a wider strategy to support Belgium and Europe's sustainable development and ambition towards CO₂-free heavy-duty road transport.

By building a H₂ refueling station on the TENT-T core network in Zeebrugge – which largely exceeds the required minimum capacity of 1 tpd of H₂–Air Products is contributing to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) objectives. When the station's capacity is utilized, it will save approximately 8 kt−11 kt of CO₂ equivalent per year by displacing diesel volume.

"Our technology has already been used in more than 250 projects worldwide and we are proud to be working with Aers Energy België on this important project in Belgium,” said Kurt Lefevere, Air Products' Vice President for Benelux, Germany and France.  “The choice of H₂ for heavy-duty vehicles, compared to other technologies, allows for faster refueling, greater vehicle range and the elimination of all CO₂ tailpipe and other criteria pollutant emissions. Air Products has over 60 years of experience in H₂ production, equipment, logistics and services and is a first-mover in the energy transition with over $11 B of announced investment in clean H₂ projects around the globe.”

The reason Aers Energy België was awarded the concession in the Port was its ability to offer a solution to safely park the many trucks waiting to leave the port or coming to load or unload in the port area. In addition to the H₂ refueling station and a truck parking lot with 135 spaces, drivers will have access to sanitary facilities, a store, and a catering service.

Tom Hautekiet, Chief Commercial Officer Port of Antwerp-Bruges, said, "All forms of transport, from shipping to road transport, are expected to be almost completely CO₂ neutral by 2050. For freight transport, H₂ is a clean and viable alternative to diesel. But of course, refueling stations must be available. We are delighted that Air Products is taking the lead in developing Europe's first liquid H₂ refueling station in the Port of Zeebrugge. This shows that Air Products is already ready for the H₂ truck of the future.”