Hydrogen network receives further funding until 2028

The industry network HZwo, which specializes in hydrogen technologies, is receiving further financial support. A good 1.8 million euros has been approved as follow-up funding beyond 2025, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced. This will allow the innovation cluster to continue its work until 2028.

The network was founded in 2017 and is dedicated to promoting green hydrogen and fuel cell technology. It brings together companies and research institutions. It was instrumental in establishing the Hydrogen Innovation Center (HIC) in Chemnitz - one of four large hydrogen centers in Germany funded by the federal government with up to 290 million euros. The HIC is primarily intended to support small and medium-sized companies and start-ups in developing new business areas for hydrogen technologies. To this end, laboratories, test benches and workshops are being built to efficiently develop technologies and products to market maturity.

"Key to Saxony's economic future"

According to the ministry, the objectives of the third funding phase include the development of marketable products and services for small and medium-sized enterprises and the establishment of regional infrastructure and industrial applications. The aim is also to strengthen the economic viability of green hydrogen - i.e. hydrogen that is produced using renewable energies.

"Innovation clusters and cooperation networks are the key to Saxony's economic future," explained Minister of Economic Affairs Dirk Panter (SPD) in a statement. "They bring together companies and research institutions with the aim of creating real solutions for the future through close cooperation."

"HZwo - Hydrogen Land Saxony" is the first Saxon innovation cluster to receive follow-up funding for the third project phase, it said. The clusters that have received support so far include "Robotics Saxony", which focuses on robotics and artificial intelligence, "Circular Saxony" on the circular economy and "Smart Medical Devices and Therapies" in the field of biotechnology.