Chinese hydrogen enterprises have sustained a robust pace of international expansion throughout 2025. Companies are deepening global cooperation through diverse models including equipment exports, technology R&D, joint ventures, and collaborative development.

On July 29, Lanzhou LS Group Co., Ltd. ("LS Group") signed a strategic cooperation agreement and a letter of intent for procurement with Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Hashim Industrial Gases & Equipment Co. ("AHG"). The partnership aims to jointly advance the R&D and commercial application of full-chain "production-storage-refueling-application" technologies for hydrogen and ammonia energy.

According to Securities Daily's compilation, as of July 30, China recorded 11 significant overseas hydrogen industry developments in July alone. Since the start of the year, the total number of Chinese hydrogen companies expanding internationally has reached 44, targeting key markets in the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Song Xiangqing, Vice President of the China Society of Commercial Economy, highlighted three key opportunities for Chinese hydrogen firms going global: "First, surging global demand for clean energy creates vast market potential for hydrogen. Second, breakthroughs in China's hydrogen technology enable win-win outcomes through technology exports and international cooperation. Third, strong policy support from central and local governments, coupled with active facilitation of international cooperation platforms, provides a favorable environment for overseas expansion."

Industry experts told Securities Daily that this signifies China's hydrogen sector has progressed from initial exploratory efforts into a new phase characterized by scale, localization, and integrated full-industry-chain collaboration. Leveraging robust manufacturing and engineering capabilities, China is poised to play a pivotal role as a shaper of the global hydrogen supply chain in the green transition.

Electrolyzers Lead Export Drive

Cooperation spans the hydrogen value chain, including hydrogen production equipment, refueling stations, and end-use applications. Among production equipment, electrolyzer exports feature prominently.

In May 2025, Guangdong LS Ammonia-Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of LS Group's listed company Lanzhou LS Heavy Equipment Co., Ltd. ("LS Heavy Equipment"), secured its first international hydrogen equipment order: a contract with AHG for a 10Nm³/h PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production system.

An LS Heavy Equipment representative stated this contract marks a breakthrough in the international market for their hydrogen equipment. The company will leverage its "Five Bases + Mobile Factory" capacity layout to provide enhanced services to Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, further integrating into the global economic strategic circle.

Other companies like Sungrow Hydrogen Technology Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Shuangliang New Energy Equipment Co., Ltd. are also delivering orders or signing contracts in overseas markets.

In hydrogen storage and transportation, Chinese firms are making strides in technologies like liquid hydrogen and materials for long-distance hydrogen pipelines, gaining increasing international recognition and order growth.

In April, LS Group signed a contract with AHG for a 70MPa skid-mounted hydrogen refueling station. In early July, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. secured its first overseas order for hydrogen transmission seamless pipeline tubes from Australia, marking China's entry into this export market.

Green hydrogen project investment and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services are also significant expansion avenues. Companies like China Energy Engineering Group Hydrogen Energy Co., Ltd. and Wison Engineering (China) Ltd. are leveraging experience from traditional energy sectors and innovation in new fields to offer integrated EPC and investment solutions internationally.

Beyond the full "production-storage-refueling-application" chain, Chinese fuel cell technology and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are rapidly expanding their global footprint. Proton Technology Co., Ltd., a new energy commercial vehicle manufacturer, exemplifies this trend. On May 20, it held a ceremony for the first batch of hydrogen fuel cell heavy trucks exported to Australia and signed an LOI for 20 more with an Australian partner.

Diverse Collaboration Models

Collaboration models are diverse, encompassing direct equipment supply, EPC contracting, joint development, joint ventures, and technology licensing.

Jiangsu Guofu Hydrogen Energy Equipment Co., Ltd. has established electrolyzer production bases in Germany, Australia, and India. Beijing ZDHy Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd. has set up a production facility in Spain. Peric Hydrogen Technologies Co., Ltd. (Handan) has engaged in technology licensing partnerships with foreign companies.

"Cross-border cooperation fosters the exchange and collaboration of hydrogen technologies, accelerating innovation and breakthroughs. It enables upstream and downstream enterprises in the hydrogen value chain to achieve complementary advantages and jointly promote the integrated development of the 'production-storage-refueling-application' chain. Simultaneously, it helps companies expand internationally, enhance their competitiveness, and integrate into the global hydrogen value chain," Song Xiangqing added.

Rapid Market Demand Growth

"Against the backdrop of the global energy transition, overseas hydrogen market demand is being rapidly unleashed, particularly driven by Europe's carbon neutrality policies and the Middle East's shift towards new energy, creating unprecedented market space," said Lin Xianping.

In transportation, hydrogen FCVs are gaining traction in Europe. Countries like Germany and France are actively deploying hydrogen-powered heavy trucks, buses, and passenger cars, with plans to build thousands of hydrogen refueling stations by 2030. In Japan, automakers led by Toyota are advancing FCV R&D, targeting a "hydrogen society" by 2050.

Supportive Domestic Policies

Domestically, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the "Notice on Organizing the Unveiling of Priority Tasks for Future Industry Innovation in 2025" in January. It outlined national priorities around four key directions: clean hydrogen production, storage & conversion, transportation & distribution, and power & material utilization. The goal is to develop integrated "production-storage-transportation-application" technology packages and equipment, promoting clean hydrogen adoption in transport, metallurgy, and chemicals. The unveiling process is expected to conclude within 2026.

The National Energy Administration's (NEA) "2025 Energy Work Guidance," issued in February, called for strengthening standards in hydrogen and green liquid fuels. It emphasized the steady development of renewable hydrogen and sustainable fuel industries, the progressive promotion of FCV pilot applications, the orderly construction of a national hydrogen information platform, the prudent exploration of hydrogen pipeline pilot projects, and the establishment of robust hydrogen management mechanisms across regions.

A securities analyst noted, "From 2025 to 2026, against the backdrop of finalized national hydrogen standards and advancements in integrated hydrogen technology, the hydrogen industry is expected to experience accelerated growth."

"Looking ahead, driven by growing international demand, supportive policy environments, and technological progress, the trend of Chinese hydrogen enterprises expanding overseas will continue to accelerate," Yu Fenghui, Senior Researcher at Pangoal (Beijing) Information Consulting Co., Ltd., told Securities Daily.

Navigating Competitive Global Markets

The path for Chinese hydrogen firms going global is not without challenges.

"Challenges primarily stem from differing hydrogen technology standards and regulations across countries and regions. The global hydrogen market is highly competitive, with Chinese firms facing pressure from international rivals. Policy and geopolitical uncertainties, such as trade protectionism and regulatory shifts, also increase operational risks," Song Xiangqing explained.

For instance, green certification requirements like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) necessitate accelerated acquisition of international certifications (e.g., CE, UL). Environmental extremes, from Middle Eastern heat to Nordic cold, demand localized R&D adaptations.

Yu Fenghui observed that while the overseas expansion phase is rapidly progressing, maturity is still some distance away. He advised firms to focus on enhancing product and service quality, increasing R&D investment to maintain technological leadership, strengthening brand building and market development capabilities, and accelerating overseas deployment. Building stable supply chain systems is also essential.

Lin Xiaoping recommended that hydrogen companies monitor policy shifts like the EU carbon border tax and proactively build green hydrogen certification systems. He suggested leading firms jointly establish overseas hydrogen alliances to share resources and reduce expansion costs, and develop international compliance frameworks while exploring consortium-based expansion models.

"In the next three years, companies with technological iteration capabilities, local ecosystem building prowess, and influence over standards will command the competitive high ground. The industry overall will shift from 'cost-driven' to 'value-driven,' ultimately achieving the leap from 'Made in China' to 'China Standards,'" Song Xiangqing concluded.