Innovation and Technology Center for Hydrogen Technologies

According to the Federal Climate Protection Act, CO₂ emissions in the transport sector are to be reduced by almost half by 2030 compared to 1990. Germany is to become climate neutral by 2045. The use of sustainable hydrogen and its derivatives in the transport sector complements battery-electric mobility and can help to achieve the goal of climate neutrality.

The ITZ-H2 is intended to help translate research and development related to hydrogen into new products – and bring them to the road, water and air. To this end, development, testing and inspection infrastructure is being established throughout Germany to support companies – in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – in the necessary transformation of value chains towards climate-friendly, hydrogen-based drive technologies.

The ITZ-H2 will be established at four locations that were selected as part of a competition. There, companies will receive targeted support for their development activities in the field of hydrogen and its derivatives for the transport sector – with laboratory environments, test benches and highly specialized services that are not yet available on the open market or are not available on a non-discriminatory basis and that would be uneconomical for SMEs in particular to set up on their own.

The resulting infrastructure creates development environments that make it possible to test, inspect and certify components and systems. In this way, the centers make a direct contribution to the ramp-up of H2-based sustainable drives. The aim is to promote synergies between industry, research and start-ups and to create networks throughout the hydrogen value chain. The services of the ITZ-H2 are non-discriminatory and will be available throughout Germany. SMEs in particular will gain access to resources and know-how that they would not be able to maintain independently.

For the successful market launch of new technologies, the topics of regulation, codes and standards (RCS) are essential. In a joint project of the ITZ locations, a generally accessible database is to be developed for this purpose, which will support companies in international cooperation for setting standards and establishing certification processes and thus provide a good framework for positioning themselves for international competition.

The establishment of the ITZ-H2 is supported by the Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) with up to 290 million euros as temporary start-up funding. In addition, individual federal states are providing supplementary funding. The four locations are oriented towards specific fields of application – based on the strengths and needs of the respective regional industry.

The four locations

In the location competition held in 2021, four locations from all over Germany prevailed:

• North location: An association of Bremen/Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Stade
• Chemnitz location
• South location: Pfeffenhausen in Bavaria
• West location: Duisburg plus satellites

These locations subsequently further qualified in terms of content for the implementation of an ITZ-H2 through a feasibility study commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV).

In July 2023, the Federal Government published the update of the NWS with the ITZ-H2 as an important measure. In March 2024, after coordination with the EU Commission, the ITZ-H2 funding guideline was published.

At the end of 2024, the North and Chemnitz locations were approved and received their funding notices from the then Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Affairs Dr. Wissing on March 6, 2025 in a festive ceremony.

RCS joint project

The joint project is currently preparing a funding application.