Lhyfe, one of Europe's leading green hydrogen producers, and construction and infrastructure giant STRABAG have signed a strategic co-development partnership agreement targeting the acceleration of green hydrogen projects in Germany, with the potential to extend collaboration across other European countries over time.

A Partnership Timed to Germany's Regulatory Shift

The announcement, made on May 28, 2026, from Nantes and Vienna, arrives as Germany moves to transpose the Renewable Energy Directive III, known as RED III, into national law.

The directive introduces binding targets encouraging industrial players to use Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin, or RFNBOs, the regulatory classification that covers green hydrogen produced through water electrolysis.

Both companies have described the resulting framework as creating structured and predictable long-term demand visibility that should help accelerate investment decisions across the sector.

Germany is positioning itself as one of the most advanced European markets in formalizing demand for renewable hydrogen, and the two partners say the timing of their agreement reflects that trajectory.

According to the companies, the transposition of RED III marks a turning point by significantly strengthening the business case for developers and investors operating in the space.

Framework Agreement Designed to Combine Complementary Capabilities

The partnership agreement establishes a framework for the identification, development, and execution of future green hydrogen projects in Germany. The structure is designed to bring together what the two companies describe as complementary areas of expertise: Lhyfe's operational track record as a certified RFNBO hydrogen producer and STRABAG's longstanding capabilities across the full construction project lifecycle.

STRABAG's involvement spans structuring, planning, engineering, execution, and long-term operation of construction projects. The group also brings financing and investment experience aimed at ensuring economic viability and securing long-term project funding.

Lhyfe, for its part, brings direct production and distribution infrastructure. In September 2025, Lhyfe became Europe's largest producer of bulk RFNBO hydrogen from water electrolysis, operating under the European Union's highest sustainability standards.

The stated outcomes of the partnership include faster project planning and implementation, a targeted reduction of development and execution risks, and the advancement of hydrogen projects first in Germany and subsequently across Europe.

Lhyfe's Operational Infrastructure Underpins the Collaboration

Lhyfe currently operates four green hydrogen production sites that are installed and RFNBO-certified, with two additional sites under construction.

The company runs a fleet of more than 80 Type 4 hydrogen containers, which it describes as one of the largest and most modern bulk hydrogen transport fleets in Europe, alongside approximately fifteen storage sites. The company is represented in 11 European countries and employs 188 staff as of December 2025.

Lhyfe's broader history includes the 2021 inauguration of what it describes as the first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in the world to be interconnected with a wind farm, as well as the 2022 launch of the first offshore green hydrogen production pilot platform in the world. The company is listed on the Euronext market in Paris.

One of its production sites currently under construction is located in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, and has been cited by the company as an illustration of its existing presence in the German market.

Executives from Both Companies Highlight Strategic Significance

Wolfgang Zechmeister, Division Manager at STRABAG, said the framework agreement represented an important step in the company's engagement with hydrogen development.

"Green hydrogen is a valuable tool for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries. STRABAG already has extensive experience in the construction of renewable energy infrastructure and will contribute to its further development," he said.

Luc Graré, Chief Strategy Officer at Lhyfe, described the agreement as arriving at a decisive moment. "Combining STRABAG's industrial and construction expertise with Lhyfe's experience as Europe's largest producer of RFNBO hydrogen creates a strong foundation to accelerate project development and execution," he said.

Graré also noted that entering into a partnership with an organization of STRABAG's stature reflected the level of industrial maturity Lhyfe had reached. "This partnership with a leading player such as STRABAG also reflects the level of maturity reached by Lhyfe and the confidence placed in our industrial know-how," he added.

Potential for Expansion Beyond Germany

While the initial scope of the framework agreement is focused on Germany, both parties have indicated that the collaboration could be extended to other European countries over time. No specific markets or timelines beyond Germany have been identified at this stage.

STRABAG SE is a European technology group for construction services with operations spanning the full project lifecycle. The partnership with Lhyfe represents an expansion of the group's involvement in the emerging hydrogen infrastructure sector, building on what Zechmeister described as its existing experience in renewable energy construction.

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