AKROS Energy Advances Hydrogen Storage with Salt Based Technology

AKROS Energy Launches Pilot Plant for Salt-Based Hydrogen Storage Technology

AKROS Energy GmbH opened a pilot plant for chemical storage of hydrogen with salt-based technology at the H2APEX site in Laage, Germany. The facility showcases an industrial-scale system to store and transport hydrogen via a chemical-carrying system, which will offer a safer and more scalable means to distribute hydrogen over long distances.

The company states the pilot plant produces potassium formate using a proprietary catalyst system that reacts an aqueous potassium bicarbonate solution and hydrogen. The resulting salt-based carrier is stable, non-toxic, non-flammable, environmentally friendly, and can be stored. The chemical reaction can be reversed at the destination to produce hydrogen as needed. It was created with the help of partners from the industry, such as Evonik Industries and Siemens, as well as the FormaPort partners who are participating in the publicly funded research project.
 
Supporting Advanced Chemical Storage Solutions for Hydrogen Infrastructure

The development represents a crucial step in the evolution of chemical storage and handling solutions, underscoring the growing demand for innovative storage methods that enhance safety, efficiency, and scalability in industrial settings. As hydrogen is gaining importance as an energy carrier, demand is increasing for chemical storage systems that are especially suitable for storing materials under specific conditions and can be connected to the worldwide energy transport system.
 
According to Towards Chem and Materials, the global chemical storage and handling market size was valued at USD 19.04 billion in 2025, is estimated to reach USD 20.37 billion in 2026, and is projected to reach USD 37.49  billion by 2035, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.01% over the forecast period from 2026 to 2035, owing to the surge in demand for safe chemical storage facilities, optimization of industrial processes, and the rising investments in clean energy technologies.
 
The new salt-based hydrogen storage pilot facility by AKROS Energy is another example of the industry's ongoing work on innovative technologies to handle salt, which opens new doors for energy applications. 

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