John Cockerill setting up alkaline electrolyzer gigafactory in Houston

John Cockerill has recently commenced the construction of a new gigafactory in Baytown in Houston, Texas where the group will operate the "first alkaline electrolyzer gigafactory in the United States", thereby formally making its entry into the North American market. 

The Belgian company's formal groundbreaking ceremony was joined by the Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo, the John Cockerill Group CEO Francois Michel, and John Cockerill President Americas Nicolas de Coignac.

The facility is expected to commence electrolyzer production by mid-2024, with an annual roll-out capacity of 1 GW of electrolyzers. The gigafactory is said to be creating 200 jobs and bolster Houston's position as a hydrogen hub in the US market. 

François Michel, CEO of John Cockerill, commented on the development, "We at John Cockerill look forward to growing our presence in the hydrogen sector in North America, following in the footsteps of many other large-scale activities that we have established in the US in the energy, heavy industry, and defense sectors since 2004". 

"We see Belgium, as both one of the most solid gateways to Europe and one of the most vibrant innovation hubs of the continent. And we believe that there are many good reasons for Houston to play a similar role in North America".

"North America, and the US in particular, has clearly long been a major development focus for John Cockerill, and I am excited to take our vision to the next level by building out capacity to create green hydrogen solutions", he added.

The CEO claimed that with the efficient production of green hydrogen, his company's electrolyzers will play an essential role in decarbonizing sectors such as transportation, chemicals, energy, and heavy industry, "getting the US and individual businesses much closer to their emission reduction goals."

John Cockerill credits its US expansion in the hydrogen business to the active policies of the US government including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), along with various initiatives and policies, funding programs, tax incentives, and research investments to stimulate the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies in the country.