Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  July 14, 2023

Asahi Kasei Joins Japan Hydrogen Forum to Support U.S. Decarbonization 

Asahi Kasei announces that it joined the Japan Hydrogen Forum (JH2F), which was established to support the decarbonization goals of U.S. federal, state, and local governments. 

The ammonia and cellulose fiber company will advance activities as a member of the Hydrogen Production Committee, one of the five subcommittees of JH2F, according to an announcement.

JH2F was established by 15 Japan-affiliated companies with hydrogen-related operations in the U.S. to support the decarbonization goals of the U.S. in five sectoral subcommittees for hydrogen production, land transportation, port decarbonization, power generation, and finance.

The organization is supported by the Japanese government and affiliated governmental organizations such as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI).

Asahi Kasei is currently advancing its hydrogen-related business centered on the alkaline water electrolysis system for hydrogen production developed utilizing its experience and expertise gained with the membrane process for chlor-alkali electrolysis.

Asahi Kasei installed a large 10 MW-scale alkaline water electrolysis system at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) as part of a NEDO project and performed several trial operations since 2020. Based on the technological achievements obtained at FH2R, Asahi Kasei plans to commercialize a larger-scale alkaline water electrolysis system comprising multiple 10 MW modules through various trial operations in the ongoing NEDO/Green Innovation Fund demonstration project of “Green hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis system,” which was awarded in 2021.3

Asahi Kasei will also build business in the U.S. for large-scale alkaline water electrolysis systems and their after-sales and technical services by leveraging the relationships gained across the value chain.