Hoyer introduces first hydrogen-powered truck for dry ice logistics
In close cooperation, Nippon Gases Germany and the HOYER Group have introduced the first hydrogen-powered truck to transport dry ice.
The vehicle, which is specially equipped for the operation, was officially handed over to Nippon Gases Germany and the HOYER Group on January 8.
Paved the way to sustainable transport solutions five years ago
Five years ago, Nippon Gases Germany and the HOYER Group began advancing sustainable transport solutions in the industrial gases sector.
The hydrogen-powered vehicle offers an emission-free alternative to the conventional road transport of dry ice in boxes and emphasizes the commitment of the companies involved to innovative, sustainable technologies.
As the hydrogen-powered truck was handed over at the Nippon Gases site in Hürth, Mona Neubauer, Minister for Economic Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, completed the first test run as co-driver.
Neubauer highlighted the states stance on the hydrogen truck production: “Hydrogen can contribute towards making freight transport climate-neutral. Hydrogen-powered fuel-cell trucks have their strengths as a result of short refuelling times and long ranges, which is exactly where battery-electric drives reach their limits.
She added: “Therefore, the State supports the construction of hydrogen service stations for heavy goods vehicles and procurement initiatives such as HyTrucks.NRW. Because one thing is clear: reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector is an important building block on North Rhine-Westphalia’s pathway to becoming Europe’s first climate-neutral industrial region”.
Europe’s largest single production plant for air gases
The air separation plant in Hürth is Nippon Gases Europe’s largest single production plant for air gases and also houses a large filling station for all industrial gases and gas mixtures produced in the region.
The company currently manufactures dry ice at the Bad Hönningen site but from 2025 onwards, the newly-built site in Zörbig (eastern Germany) will begin producing dry ice from biogenic CO2 raw gas.
Dry ice is used in a wide range of applications, including in the food and beverage industry, and the automotive industry, for transporting cooling and to clean objects and equipment.
Using the hydrogen-powered truck not only reduces CO₂ emissions but also allows the international logistics specialist to gather operational experience in deploying additional trucks at an early stage.
According to Axel Remplewski, Executive Director of Global Gas Logistics of the HOYER Group, “The new truck has a range of up to 450 km and can be fully refuelled in under 15 minutes. These features make it ideal for everyday use to transport dry ice, essential in many industries, including the food and pharmaceutical industries.”
