A German-British alliance aims to transform hydrogen production economics. Siemens partners with Paragon Resources on breakthrough chemistry that converts recycled aluminum into clean hydrogen and valuable co-products - all without external power input.
The technology partnership launched with a memorandum of understanding between the German industrial giant and the UK chemistry innovator. Their mission: scale a game-changing hydrogen production process for commercial deployment, Siemens announced Wednesday (July 30).
Oxford Innovation Bypasses Traditional Production Routes
Aylesbury-based Paragon Resources near Oxford has developed an alternative to conventional hydrogen generation methods. Rather than electrolysis or steam methane reforming, the company employs treated aluminum reacting with water in the presence of a catalyst. This chemical process yields three simultaneous outputs: hydrogen gas, aluminum hydroxide, and heat convertible to electricity.
The British firm has filed multiple patents protecting the technology, including reactor designs and AI-driven control systems. The breakthrough advantage: no fossil fuels or grid electricity required.
Circular Economy Delivers Environmental Double Win
The process transforms waste streams into valuable resources. Aluminum that would otherwise burden landfills becomes feedstock for clean hydrogen generation. Simultaneously, the reaction produces aluminum hydroxide as an emission-free co-product with diverse industrial applications.
Markets span cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to water treatment, fire suppression, and ceramics/glass manufacturing. Both partners target energy-intensive industries seeking decarbonization pathways while advancing resource efficiency and circular economy principles.
Digital Platform Accelerates Industrial Scale-Up
Siemens brings digitalization expertise as preferred technology partner, fast-tracking the journey from pilot to industrial scale. The Siemens Xcelerator digital business platform will deploy automation, digital twin technology, and AI-powered process control to maximize reactor efficiency and optimize thermal performance.
"Scaling hydrogen production requires collaborative approaches," emphasizes Andy Lane, Senior Commercial Manager at Siemens. The company plays a vital role supporting innovators like Paragon Resources in developing, scaling, and commercializing breakthrough processes.
This cooperation aligns with Siemens' comprehensive hydrogen strategy. "We're building the foundation of the hydrogen ecosystem," H2 expert Philipp Glaser told H2-News.de in late May. The concept centers on "digital hydrogen plants" - complete digital representations with prefabricated engineering modules and intelligent process optimization.
