Air Liquide and Houpu create a joint venture to develop the hydrogen distribution infrastructure in China

Air Liquide and Chengdu Huaqi Houpu Holding co., Ltd ("Houpu"), finalized the creation of a joint venture for the development, production and distribution of hydrogen refilling stations for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles: Air Liquide Houpu Hydrogen Equipment co., Ltd.

This joint venture will enable the companies to develop projects together with a view to promoting the development of a network of hydrogen stations in China. This collaboration will combine Air Liquide's global technological expertise in clean hydrogen mobility solutions with Houpu's leadership in the production and construction of natural gas refilling stations on the Chinese market.

Thanks to this unique combination of know-how, Air Liquide and Houpu will be able to provide their customers with state-of-the-art hydrogen solutions and address fast-growing demand for environmentally friendly solutions on the Chinese market. This partnership illustrates Air Liquide’s contribution to the challenge of the energy transition and clean mobility by offering alternative energy solutions.

This agreement is aligned with the Chinese government's 13th five-year plan, which aims to support clean mobility through, in particular, the development and sale of fuel cell electric vehicles.

François Darchis, Senior Vice-President and member of the Air Liquide group Executive Committee, supervising Innovation, said:

"The creation of this joint venture with Houpu illustrates the willingness of the Chinese market players to contribute to decarbonize transportation, reduce urban pollution and preserve the environment. Air Liquide is facilitating the development of hydrogen mobility and its adoption by users. This commitment, in line with the Group's climate objectives, is all the more significant given that China is the world's largest car market."