Topsoe, Aramco to demonstrate blue hydrogen tech in Saudi Arabia

Danish tech firm Topsoe and Saudi Arabia's state-owned Saudi Aramco have teamed up to demonstrate the former's "groundbreaking" eREACT blue hydrogen technology in Saudi Arabia.

Under an agreement, the pair will build a demonstration plant at the Shaybah natural gas liquids recovery plant, Topsoe said on October 9. This plant will produce blue hydrogen from natural gas using electrified steam reformed, powered by renewable energy. The resulting CO₂ emissions from the process will be sequestered.

eREACT involves what Topsoe calls an innovative electrified reactor design, capable of converting a variety of feedstocks into low-carbon hydrogen or other chemicals and fuels. The aim of the project is to demonstrate that it is scalable, efficient and able to reduce CO₂ emissions.

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Aramco through which we demonstrate an innovative solution for producing low-carbon hydrogen," Topsoe chief commercial officer Elena Scaltritti said in a statement. "The cornerstone of this collaboration is Topsoe’s eREACT, which is a groundbreaking technology platform producing low-carbon fuels and chemicals while eliminating flue gas emissions. This marks a crucial step in the transition to a net-zero future, and we couldn't be more excited to be at the forefront of this transformative change. We look forward to working with Aramco on this exciting project.”