August 2025 | The Business News Bulletin of Hydrogen in France

In August 2025, four hydrogen business news were recorded across three French regions: one on hydrogen production, two on mobility and distribution, and one on R&D. Of the five companies involved, four are SMEs.

Grand Est | La Française de l’Énergie has launched a €15 million drilling campaign within its Bleue Lorraine concession to both produce gas from local coal seams and explore the natural hydrogen deposits identified in 2023. The programme includes a deep exploration well in Pontpierre, drilled to 4,000 metres over five months, specifically dedicated to studying natural hydrogen. The study is conducted in collaboration with the University of Lorraine’s GéoRessources laboratory and the CNRS as part of the REGALOR II research programme.

Scope: fuel cell and internal combustion engine for road, railway, maritime, aviation

Occitanie | Qair has begun construction of a €4.5 million hydrogen station in Narbonne. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the facility will cover production, transport and distribution of renewable hydrogen.

Occitanie | Groupe Iming and Eiffage Génie Civil have completed the civil engineering and groundwork for Qair’s HRS hydrogen refuelling station in Bézier, part of the Hyd’Occ project in Port-La Nouvelle. The HRS which will supply up to 600 kg/day and is set for commissioning by end-2025.

Region Sud | HSL Technologies (HySiLabs) carried out new prototype tests under the OptHYmize project, which aims to reduce HydroSil production energy consumption fivefold through a simplified synthesis process. Hydrosil is a liquid non-organic hydrogen carrier. The project is supported by the EU’s FEDER programme and Région Sud – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.