Asahi Kasei to supply 1 MW-class alkaline-water electrolyser to hydrogen project in Finland

Diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei will supply its Aqualyzer™-C3 containerised 1 MW-class alkaline-water electrolyser to the Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof).

The system will play an essential role in Central Finland’s hydrogen production and contribute to the region’s decarbonisation efforts. Full operation is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

Having launched its chlor-alkali electrolysis business in 1975, Asahi Kasei leveraged its technology and expertise to develop water electrolysis systems for hydrogen production.

Kenji Takeda, Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei, responsible for Business Development of its Green Solution Project, said: “With this project, our hydrogen-related business has moved fully into the commercialisation phase.

Aqualyzer™-C3 Containerised Alkaline-Water Electrolyser. Image ©Asahi Kasei

“We will work with our partners to demonstrate the reliability of our alkaline water electrolysis system through installation in extreme cold-climate environments and contribute to the decarbonisation of the Central Finland region. We are proud to be a one-stop supplier providing support from installation to hydrogen production operations.”

In 2020, the company installed its large-scale 10 MW-class Aqualyzer™ electrolyser at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) in Namie, Futaba, Fukushima, Japan. Following the success of the FH2R project, Aqualyzer™-C3 was added to its portfolio in 2024 as a small-scale, containerised system in the range of 1 to 7.5 MW.

This allows Asahi Kasei to meet emerging diversified needs of customers across the entire hydrogen market, with significant growth expected.

Cefmof is a foundation that accelerates the development of sustainable mobility and urban planning by harnessing green hydrogen — particularly in ways that are tangible and visible in people’s everyday lives.

It was established by the City of Jyväskylä, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, and the Toyota Mobility Foundation. The foundation supports projects such as hydrogen-powered transport and related infrastructure. Cefmof plans to use fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen buses, serving as a case model for the potential of hydrogen utilization in cold climates and the mobility industry.

For the reliable and efficient supply of hydrogen, Cefmof chose Asahi Kasei’s container-type Aqualyzer™-C3 with a capacity of 1 MW. The installation in Jyväskylä is expected to commence towards the end of 2025, aiming for full-scale operation in the first half of 2026. The system will be able to produce enough hydrogen in an hour to refill approximately three fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).

The containerised modular design allows for gradual expansion of production capacity through the connection of additional units, allowing for flexibility in meeting future increases in hydrogen demand.

Haruka Arai, Executive Director of Cefmof, added: “This project will be a key part of the emerging green hydrogen ecosystem in Central Finland and highlights Cefmof’s long-term commitment to building a carbon neutral future in the region. This development supports the practical realisation of a functioning hydrogen refueling infrastructure in Jyväskylä.”

As part of its medium-term management plan, Asahi Kasei positions its hydrogen-related business as an area of Growth Potential and is making investments toward full-scale commercialisation. By leveraging intangible assets such as the customer base and technologies that have been cultivated through its existing chlor-alkali business using ion-exchange membranes, the company is steadily advancing initiatives, including collaborations with a variety of partners.

For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.