(Yicai Global) Nov. 10 -- Foreign hydrogen companies are tapping into the potential of China's clean energy transformation at the China International Import Expo.

Germany's Singulus Technologies is for the first time proposing its high-vacuum sputtering systems for Chinese clients to use in making hydrogen energy equipment, such as fuel cells and electrolyzers, Wei Hengqin, project service director, told Yicai Global during the event in Shanghai. "We hope the CIIE can become a platform to open up the hydrogen energy market in China," Wei added.

General Electric is exploring the possibility of using sustainable aviation fuel, as well as hydrogen, for future engines, said Xiang Weiming, president of the Boston-headquartered conglomerate's China arm. But the premise is first significantly cutting the cost of hydrogen production, and realizing how to safely store the fuel in the limited space of an aircraft, Xiang added.

American gas supplier Air Products and Chemicals is showcasing its low and zero-carbon technologies, such as using hydrogen power and liquefying hydrogen, at the expo to serve the environmental needs of the Chinese market. 

The Pennsylvania-based firm is currently building China's first world-class liquid hydrogen plant in Haiyan, Zhejiang province. It expects to start production next year. Initially, the facility can produce 30 tons of hydrogen and serve 30 hydrogen refueling stations daily.

American automation behemoth Honeywell International released a white paper on hydrogen and its applications at the CIIE, introducing its own cutting-edge technology in hydrogen production.

Visitors can also see demonstrations of hydrogen energy application. The Hamburg Green Hydrogen Hub is expected to link up 12 hydrogen projects in the port of the northern German city by 2026, said Axel Mattern, chief executive of Hafen Hamburg Marketing, an advertising agency. The project should show how an entire port economy including storage and transport can be decarbonized.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi