ANDRITZ Opens Electrolyzer Gigafactory in Erfurt

ANDRITZ today opened its new electrolyzer gigafactory in Erfurt, Germany, in the presence of Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt. The new plant has an initial production capacity of around one gigawatt - equivalent to around 160 to 200 electrolyzers per year. Key components for the production of green hydrogen have already been manufactured at the site since March of this year, including electrolysis 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.

The new Gigafactory is located at a site with a long tradition in industrial production, where ANDRITZ Schuler has been manufacturing presses for many years. Erfurt is strategically located in the heart of Europe and offers direct access to important transportation networks. The proximity to central transportation arteries enables safe and punctual delivery to project sites across the continent. The electrolyzers are based on the latest technology from ANDRITZ partner HydrogenPro, are CE-certified and meet European safety and performance standards. The first electrolyzers produced in the plant are destined for Salzgitter AG's pioneering 100-megawatt hydrogen plant for low-CO2 steel production.

“With this Gigafactory, we are not only supporting our customers in mastering the green transformation, but are also coming closer to our goal of being a leading provider of innovative, economically viable solutions for this,” says ANDRITZ President and CEO Dr. Joachim Schönbeck.

"ANDRITZ's decision in favor of Erfurt is a forward-looking one: The location has an impressive infrastructure, skilled workforce 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 source - it is a storage medium and a catalyst for industrial renewal. As one of the first facilities of its kind in Thuringia and one of the largest production sites for electrolyzers in Germany, the new Gigafactory underlines ANDRITZ's role in the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy in Europe," said Minister President Mario Voigt at the opening ceremony.