Blue, but better | Air Products Announces Multi-Billion Dollar Net-Zero Hydrogen Energy Complex in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Air Products’ new net-zero hydrogen energy complex will make Edmonton, Alberta the centre of western Canada’s hydrogen economy. Canada is well positioned to be a global hydrogen leader, which will help to create thousands of jobs, grow the economy, reduce emissions, and put Canada on a path to achieving net-zero by 2050. This project will reduce Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Construction is well underway in Edmonton at Air Products’ transformative new $1.6 billion hydrogen facility, which will deploy advanced technology and an innovative design to deliver net-zero emissions. Connecting this new facility to our existing pipeline network will help our refining and petrochemical customers reduce the carbon intensity of their energy products and improve their sustainability performance. The world-scale liquefaction facility will help to accelerate the use of hydrogen as emission-free transportation fuel across western Canada. Think of it this way – there will be enough liquid hydrogen capacity to fuel every major transit agency in Alberta.

Alberta, Canada Net-Zero Hydrogen Energy Complex Receives Funding

The Canadian federal and provincial governments announced approximately $475 million (CAD) in project funding for Air Products’ $1.6 billion (CAD) landmark net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Alberta. The facility, already being executed, will make Edmonton, Alberta the centre of western Canada’s hydrogen economy and set the stage for Air Products to operate one of the most competitive and lowest-carbon-intensity hydrogen networks in the world.

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Fuelled by facts

Edmonton and its surrounding municipalities are driving the transition to a clean energy future. The new energy complex provides options for expansion and for billions in additional private sector investment in the region over time. This represents a huge economic boost for the region and a critical step toward meeting Canada’s climate goals. The liquid hydrogen facility will make Alberta a leading supplier of liquid hydrogen to western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Jobs

The facility will create 2,500 construction and engineering jobs near-term, with more job creation to come in the hydrogen transportation industry long-term

Investment

The Edmonton, Alberta facility and complex will see investment of $1.6 billion (CAD).

Opportunities

The facility will play a critical role in helping Canada advance its climate and energy security ambitions.

Innovation

The facility will use advanced Auto-Thermal Reforming (ATR) technology and include a hydrogen-fueled power generation plant and a liquid hydrogen facility.

How It Works

Today, almost all industrial-scale hydrogen is produced using Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) technology. If an SMR facility is equipped with carbon capture technology, about 55% of the carbon emissions can be cost-effectively captured. Our Net-Zero Hydrogen Energy Complex will use an advanced process technology, Auto-Thermal Reforming (ATR), which enables cost-effective capture of more than 90% of the carbon emissions, for permanent sequestration safely underground.

In addition, to avoid the indirect emissions associated with using electrical power from the grid, the project includes a 100% hydrogen-fueled power generation unit. This unit is oversized to power the production facility and enable excess power to be supplied into the Alberta grid.

Lastly, this facility will be integrated with neighboring Imperial Oil Limited’s new renewable diesel facility, using innovative engineering. Imperial will produce renewable diesel from locally sourced non-petroleum feedstocks, using a process that produces a biogenic renewable off-gas (ROG) by-product. This ROG will be used as a feedstock within the Air Products hydrogen complex, displacing natural gas and further enhancing the overall carbon emissions profile.

The unique combination of integrating biogenic feedstock, associated carbon capture, and export of clean power more than offsets the remaining emissions not directly captured. This means this landmark facility can achieve net-zero emissions¹ and why it’s been described as “Blue, but Better."
¹Air Products’ methodology follows the guidance in the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and relevant provincial large emitter program (TIER).

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Air Products to Support Imperial’s Renewable Diesel Plans with Low-Carbon Hydrogen Supply

Air Products will supply low-carbon hydrogen for Imperial's proposed renewable diesel complex at its Strathcona refinery, providing ~50% of the output from its Alberta Blue Hydrogen Hub under construction in Edmonton to the refinery.

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"By being a first mover and investing in this innovative landmark project, we are paving the way for hydrogen from Edmonton to meet industrial and transportation needs throughout western Canada. Our highly integrated project will be a model for net-zero atmospheric gas, hydrogen and power production consistent with our announced growth platforms."

Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer of Air Products

"The combination of multiple facilities, state-of-the-art technologies, our existing 55-kilometer Alberta Heartland Hydrogen pipeline, our project execution expertise, and our record of reliable operations will set the benchmark for competitive hydrogen to support growth in Alberta for many years to come."

Dr. Samir J. Serhan, Chief Operating Officer of Air Products

"By design, the new complex will utilize Alberta’s natural gas resources to produce net-zero hydrogen, reducing the environmental footprint of the refining sector and facilitating future growth in the hydrogen economy in Edmonton and the Alberta Industrial Heartland."

Rachel Smith, Vice President of Air Products Canada

"Air Products is proud to partner with the Government of Canada in announcing the first liquid hydrogen facility in Western Canada. This proactive step forward supporting the mobility and industrial markets, continues to position Canada as a world leader in low-carbon hydrogen production and the energy transition."

Eric Guter, Vice President, Hydrogen for Mobility Solutions for Air Products

"The future of net-zero is in the hands of engineers, entrepreneurs, investors, and companies like Air Products. We’re proud to welcome Air Products’ expansion of its Alberta operations..."

David Knight Legg, Former CEO of Invest Alberta Corporation

"This project is a key milestone for Edmonton’s low carbon future. It will harness the energy expertise of the Edmonton metro region to produce liquid hydrogen that could be used to fuel city buses and other transportation applications across western Canada, and ultimately serve lucrative export markets as well."

Don Iveson, Former Mayor of Edmonton

"Hydrogen’s moment has come. It’s the low-carbon fuel that gets us to net zero. This opportunity will create thousands of jobs and use the skills and expertise of workers in Alberta to lead Canada to the forefront of the global hydrogen market."

Hon. Seamus O’Regan Jr, Former Canadian Minister of Natural Resources

"As consumers and investors demand lower-emitting products, we will continue to support Canadians and businesses who are ambitious about seizing these opportunities, creating good jobs, and helping Canada achieve net-zero by 2050. "

Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Alberta is a leader in emission reduction and responsible energy development. Alberta’s combination of competitive taxes, abundant natural resources, and innovation are attracting new investment by world-leading companies, like Air Products, to expand their operations right here in our province."

Hon. Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta

Air Products Wins Best Carbon Management Initiative Award for Alberta Project

At the Chemical Industry Financial Outlook Forum & Sustainability Awards, Air Products received the Best Carbon Management Initiative Award from Chemical Week for its innovative net-zero hydrogen energy complex in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

“Our new net-zero facility will enable significant greenhouse gas reductions and provide for a cleaner energy future for everyone,” said Air Products Canada Vice President Rachel Smith upon accepting the sustainability award.

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AIR PRODUCTS' FACILITIES IN CANADA RECOGNIZED BY THE CGA FOR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

Keeping our people safe is our top priority at Air Products, and we’re proud that our dedicated teams were recognized at the Compressed Gas Association Annual Meeting for their commitment to safety every day. Our Ft. Saskatchewan facility was recognized at the Bronze Level for achieving 50,000 hours or 5 years with no lost time work accidents, while our Corunna facility was recognized at the Gold Level for achieving 750,000 hours or 15 years with no lost time work accidents.

Air Products' Hydrogen Expertise

60-year track record

Delivering safe, proven hydrogen technology solutions. As the world’s largest hydrogen producer, we have experience across the full value chain.

Operating in over 50 countries

We partner with all types of companies to incorporate the power and sustainability of clean hydrogen, including as an emission-free fuel for mobility.

Hydrogen expertise

Hydrogen is the best clean fuel alternative for heavy-duty vehicles like buses, trucks, ships and trains due to the duty-cycle associated with these applications. Because of hydrogen’s versatility and abundance, it is an ideal transportation zero-emissions solution.

Canada's leading hydrogen supplier

Air Products has had a strong presence in the Edmonton and Alberta Heartland region for many years. We currently operate three world-scale hydrogen production facilities and a 55-kilometre hydrogen pipeline network. We also operate a hydrogen production facility, a 30-kilometre pipeline network and a liquefaction facility in Sarnia, Ontario.

Canada Net-zero Hydrogen Energy Complex