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In the presence of Thuringia's Prime Minister Mario Voigt, ANDRITZ has today opened its new Electrolyzer Gigafactory in Erfurt, Germany.
The new facility has an initial annual production capacity of approximately one gigawatt which corresponds to approximately 160 to 200 electrolyzers per year. At the site, key components for green hydrogen production have already been produced since March of this year, including electrolyzer cell stacks and phase separators which are then subjected to a pressure test and quality control. Depending on customer demand, the output can be flexibly scaled up.
On the occasion of the opening, Prime Minister Mario Voigt said: "ANDRITZ's decision in favor of Erfurt is forward-looking: The location impresses with its infrastructure, skilled workers, and a strong industrial environment. This project is a clear signal for value creation and future security in Thuringia. As the 'Green Heart of Germany', our Free State offers the best conditions for industrial innovation. Hydrogen is more than just an energy carrier it is a storage system and a catalyst for industrial renewal. As one of the first facilities of its kind in Thuringia and one of the largest electrolyzer production sites in Germany, the new Gigafactory underlines ANDRITZ's role in developing a sustainable hydrogen economy in Europe."
New technology traditional location
The new Gigafactory is located on a site with a long-standing history of industrial manufacturing, where ANDRITZ Schuler has been producing presses for many years. Around 350 people are working in Erfurt, almost 100 will be employed in the Electrolyzer Gigafactory in the future. This existing infrastructure provides a solid foundation for the efficient production and transport of electrolyzers.
“With this Gigafactory, we not only support our customers in mastering the green transition, but also get closer to our goal of being a leading provider of innovative, economically viable solutions here,” said ANDRITZ CEO Dr. Joachim Schönbeck. “At our site in Erfurt, we benefit from the existing infrastructure and look back on over 125 years of expertise in heavy machinery construction. This gives us the best conditions to produce electrolyzers on a large scale.”
Strategically located in the heart of Europe, Erfurt offers direct access to major transportation networks. Its proximity to central roadways enables safe and timely delivery to project sites across the continent, ensuring that customers benefit not only from high-quality technology but also from logistical efficiency.
The electrolyzers are based on the latest technology from ANDRITZ’s partner HydrogenPro. The first electrolyzers produced at the facility are destined for Salzgitter AG’s pioneering 100-megawatt hydrogen plant for low-CO2 steel production. All green hydrogen products made in Erfurt are CE-certified and meet European safety and performance standards.
Gerd Baresch, Chief Technology Officer, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH: "ANDRITZ is an important partner for us on our way to low-CO2 steel production. For the decarbonization of our processes and products, we have defined a clear mission for us with the motto ‘Partnering for Transformation’: to take responsibility for society and future generations together with partners. The 100 MW electrolysis plant that we are now building together with ANDRITZ will enable us to produce hydrogen independently and will therefore contribute to the production of sustainable products at the Salzgitter site in the future."
About ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ (andritz.com) provides advanced plants, equipment, services, and digital solutions for a wide range of industries, including pulp and paper, metals, hydropower, environmental, and others. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in Austria, the publicly listed group employs about 30,000 people at 280 locations in over 80 countries.
As a global leader in technology and innovation, ANDRITZ is committed to fostering progress that benefits customers, partners, employees, society, and the environment. The company’s growth is driven by sustainable solutions enabling the green transition, advanced digitalization for highest industrial performance, and comprehensive services that maximize the value of customers’ plants over their entire life cycle. ANDRITZ. FOR GROWTH THAT MATTERS.
About ANDRITZ ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY
ANDRITZ Environment & Energy is committed to environmental responsibility and offers a broad range of technologies focusing on sustainable solutions for various industries. The extensive product portfolio includes technologies for the production of green hydrogen and renewable fuels, for carbon capture and emission reduction, mechanical and thermal solid/liquid separation, grinding, pelletizing, and for pumping fluids. Complemented by cutting-edge automation and digitalization as well as comprehensive services, they enable efficient and innovative solutions in processes such as water and wastewater management, recycling, waste/sludge-to-value, resource-saving battery-related mining, desalination, feed and food valorization, air emission reduction and P2X.
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