The threat of a European electrolyser industry wipeout is real and could happen faster than it did in the solar PV market without proper policy intervention, warned Hydrogen Europe CEO, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, in an interview with H2 View.

His comments come amid what appears to be a widespread crisis across the EU’s clean technology manufacturing industries, which face stark competition from often state-subsidised companies in China that offer far lower-cost products.

In recent months, the EU solar manufacturing industry reached its tipping point. After sustained calls for help, early 2024 saw solar players warn of bankruptcy, production pauses, factory closures and debt restructuring. In March, Swiss-based Meyer Burger shut the doors of its German solar module factory in Freiburg.