Lhyfe and STRABAG have signed a strategic co-development agreement for green hydrogen projects in Germany, combining renewable hydrogen production experience with construction, engineering, financing, and project delivery capability.
The framework agreement covers the identification, development, and execution of future hydrogen projects, initially in Germany and later potentially in other European markets. Germany is currently transposing the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive III, or RED III, into national law, creating a more structured demand environment for renewable fuels of non-biological origin, known as RFNBOs.
EU rules require RFNBOs to account for at least 42% of hydrogen used in industry by 2030, rising to 60% by 2035. Transport rules also create a minimum RFNBO contribution by 2030. Those requirements give renewable hydrogen developers a clearer route to long-term demand, particularly where industrial users need compliant fuel options to decarbonise high-temperature processes, chemicals production, refining, and transport-linked operations.
Lhyfe brings operating hydrogen production and distribution capacity to the agreement. In 2025, the company became Europe’s largest producer of bulk RFNBO hydrogen from water electrolysis, according to its announcement, with four installed and RFNBO-certified production sites, two additional sites under construction, more than 80 Type 4 hydrogen containers, and around 15 storage sites.
STRABAG adds construction delivery and project structuring experience across the infrastructure lifecycle. The group’s role covers planning, engineering, execution, long-term operation, financing, and investment support, giving the partnership a broader base than production capacity alone. Hydrogen projects still have to resolve site development, permitting, storage, distribution, connection, and financing before they can move from pipeline to operating asset.
Wolfgang Zechmeister, Division Manager at STRABAG, said: “This framework agreement is an exciting start to our partnership with Lhyfe that will deepen our project development in hydrogen. Green hydrogen is a valuable tool for decarbonising energy-intensive industries. STRABAG already has extensive experience in the construction of renewable energy infrastructure and will contribute to its further development.”
Germany’s hydrogen build-out depends on a chain of decisions across production, construction, logistics, and end-use demand. By pairing Lhyfe’s RFNBO production base with STRABAG’s infrastructure delivery capability, the companies are aiming to reduce project risk and shorten the path from development concept to commissioned hydrogen supply.
Luc Graré, Chief Strategy Officer at Lhyfe, said: “This partnership comes at a decisive moment for the market. 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. 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.”
The companies say the agreement is intended to accelerate planning and implementation, reduce development and execution risks, and advance hydrogen projects in Germany and, over the longer term, elsewhere in Europe. Further information is available through Lhyfe’s partnership announcement.
