Hessen supports climate-friendly industrial transformation with €5.8 million grant
A new hydrogen project in Central Hessen involving one of the world’s largest independent iron foundries will cut emissions, boost energy independence, and drive industrial innovation.
The state of Hessen is supporting more sustainable industrial production with a €5.8 million grant to Eurowind Energy, a leading renewable energy company. This funding will support the establishment of a hydrogen production facility in Stadtallendorf, approximately 18 kilometers east of Marburg, which will partly replace the Fritz Winter iron foundry’s current natural gas-based energy supply with hydrogen produced from renewable sources. The project is funded through the state’s support program for innovative energy technologies (Förderung innovativer Energietechnologien) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
This initiative is important for Central Hessen, a region with a rich history in metal processing and automotive manufacturing. Locally produced green hydrogen offers a viable path for transforming the sector to more sustainable operations, ensuring its long-term competitiveness while supporting Hessen’s climate goals.
Fritz Winter aims to achieve CO2-neutral production by 2045 as part of its long-term sustainability strategy. Following the installation of one of Europe’s largest electric crucible furnace systems, significantly reducing emissions and energy consumption, the new hydrogen project will bring the company closer to reaching that goal.
Eurowind Energy, a Danish renewable energy company, will execute the project from its new subsidiary in Cölbe, near Marburg, which is established as part of this initiative. New wind and photovoltaic (PV) systems will power an on-site hydrogen production facility, reducing dependence on public energy grids and significantly lowering operating costs. The hydrogen plant will be connected to the foundry’s production facilities, eliminating the need for costly transportation.
Kaweh Mansoori, Hessen’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas, emphasized the project’s significance for both the state’s climate goals and the competitiveness of the region’s industrial sector. “This project represents a milestone in the ongoing transformation of industry in Hessen,” he said. “It shows that industrial production and the energy transition can go hand in hand.”
The project also highlights the benefits of attracting global companies to Hessen, demonstrating how international collaboration and knowledge transfer can strengthen the regional economy. Eurowind’s expertise in renewable energy solutions will support local businesses and contribute to the modernization of Hessen’s industrial sector.
