Haffner Energy announces that H2 bois SA has signed an essential contract for the development of a biomass-based hydrogen, electricity and biochar production plant in Switzerland
Vitry-le-François, France – March 12, 2025, 6:00pm (CET)
- First positive impact to date of the start of production of mobility-grade green hydrogen at the Marolles site (Marne County, Grand Est Region).
- First decisive step towards the development of a 720-kg/day production plant for hydrogen, electricity and biochar from biomass at the Glovelier site (Jura County, Switzerland), which is expected to be commissioned in July 2026.
Following the successful start of production of green hydrogen at its Marolles site (Marne County, Grand Est), Haffner Energy (ISIN: FR0014007ND6 – Ticker: ALHAF) announces the signing by H2 bois SA of a first contract, essential step towards developing H2 bois SA’s project at its Glovelier site (Jura County, Switzerland).
A first contract, essential step towards developing H2 bois SA’s project
The signing of this first contract brings discussions with H2 bois SA to a new concrete phase. The company was created by the Swiss Corbat Group, and its partners Planair and Romande Energie, co-shareholders of H2 bois SA, to develop and operate projects for the production of hydrogen, electricity and biochar from biomass.
In particular, this first contract is critical for H2 bois SA’s project of a biomass-based hydrogen, electricity and biochar production plant, intended to meet the energy needs of local industrial consumers of fossil hydrogen and decarbonize mobility. Biomass is to be procured from the local wood industry,
The plant, which is expected to be commissioned in July 2026, could represent a total order value for Haffner Energy that may reach up to €8.3 million, including options. With all its equipment and auxiliaries, it is designed to produce 30 kg/h of hydrogen.
The hydrogen produced at the plant will be distributed on site or removed for industrial and mobility applications. The electricity produced will be fed into the electricity grid. Biochar, a by-product of the production of syngas (syngas) from which hydrogen is derived and a real carbon sink, will be used for compost enrichment and soil amendment.
A land footprint already secured and pipeline to the H2 distribution site in construction
It was already made public that the distribution site is planned near the A16 motorway, thus facilitating access for vehicles. It is located in an industrial area packed with established consumers of fossil hydrogen. The hydrogen will be transported there by a pipeline, its 1-km route crossing the new business park (ZAM 2) which is expected to welcome new companies consuming green hydrogen.
On the date of the signing of this first contract, the building permit has been secured and the work related to the construction of the pipeline has begun.
The start of production of green hydrogen in Marolles: a trigger for the signing of this first contract
As announced at the time of the half-year financial results, this technological milestone allows Haffner Energy to accelerate commercial discussions with various partners interested in its disruptive biomass thermolysis and gasification technologies. It was thus the trigger for finalising the signing of this first contract, which increases the company’s prospects in a promising hydrogen market despite its slow start.
“We are delighted to have reached this essential milestone with the Swiss companies Corbat, Planair and Romande Energie. As we anticipated, the production of mobility-grade hydrogen is proving to be a key catalyst. This shows that our Hynoca® technological process is delivering on its promises, which should be a game-changer for a hydrogen ecosystem that has yet to truly take off. We have been waiting for this for a long time, and the availability of the Marolles site finally allows us to produce super green hydrogen from solid biomass”, says Philippe Haffner, Co-founder and CEO of Haffner Energy.
Additional resources
About the Marolles site : press release and November 2024 media kit
