Our eighth On the Spot took us to Switzerland.

Christian Florin, CEO of Florin AG and President of ‘réservesuisse cooperative – Strategic Stockpiles / National Supply Switzerland’, together with Pascal Loew (Operations Manager, Executive Board) and Jasmin Sporrer (Head of Production and Research, Deputy Executive Board), presented Florin AG and demonstrated the key role hydrogen can play in industrial production.

The company produces its own hydrogen for demanding heating processes between 150 and 230°C. With an annual production of 80,000 tonnes, 35,000 tonnes of which come from Swiss rapeseed cultivation, Florin AG is a prime example of the material use of the green molecule in the food industry.

After the buffet lunch, participants were treated to an exclusive guided tour, giving them a glimpse behind the scenes at Florin AG to see how, alongside the material use of hydrogen, the company is addressing future energy supply and preparing for the transition from natural gas to hydrogen. This transformation is made even more economically and technically attractive by the company’s proximity to the ‘Basel ecosystem’ at the Port of Birsfelden.

A key topic of the day was the lack of a regulatory framework for the decarbonisation of heavy goods transport. According to participants, the LSVA (performance-based heavy goods vehicle tax) for renewable powertrains, in particular, is holding back necessary investment. Participants agreed that adapting these regulations for renewable powertrains would provide an effective boost to get stalled investment in climate-friendly mobility back on track.

The visit made it clear: the energy transition in the tri-border region needs pioneers. Thanks to the European Hydrogen Backbone and funding from the HVS Hydrogen Valley Südbaden, the foundations have been laid for a strong hydrogen ramp-up and genuine energy independence in the region.

Many thanks to H2-HUB Schweiz for co-hosting the event and highlighting hydrogen as the key to a sustainable energy future.