In future, most hydrogen will be sourced from water, specifically seawater. This salty, impure water requires purification and storage, demanding durable and cost-effective materials. The key lies in underutilized engineering plastics, which offer long-lasting and eco-friendly solutions along the hydrogen value chain. A few of our members are already working on this. Atolli, MB Plastics and Agru. In this article, Christian Sundberg explains why engineering plastics are key in the hydrogen value chain.
“Green hydrogen” is typically produced through electrolysis, where electricity splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. For that, we need clean water. Plastic pipelines, from water intake to purification systems, are ideal. And the more clean water we have, the more hydrogen we can produce,” says Christian Sundberg, Business Developer and Partner at Atolli.
Plastic is widely used for clean water applications, such as pipelines and bottles, due to its resistance to bacterial growth and superior durability compared to glass and metal. “Every industrial plant worldwide employs plastic for pure water applications. Since drinking water pipes are polyethylene, why wouldn’t we use it in the hydrogen economy?” Sundberg asks.
Public discourse often forgets industrial plastic, focusing on improperly disposed waste like ocean-bound plastic straws. But, Sundberg points out, “Plastic waste is a real environmental issue, yet it’s mostly a waste management problem tied to human negligence. Industrial plastics like polyethylene are easy to recycle, and engineering and packaging plastics are two very different things.”
When used properly, plastic is essential and sustainable across industries. “If we, for example, stopped using plastic in the healthcare industry, mortality rates would rise dramatically”, Sundberg says.
“High-pressure and high-temperature pipelines need metal, but plastic is the better choice for everything else.”
Traditionally, hydrogen pipelines have been made from metal to withstand high pressures and temperatures. However, metal has limited chemical resistance, corrodes in saltwater, and rusts in pure water. Modern hydrogen production, however, operates at low pressures, which is ideal for plastic. “High-pressure and high-temperature pipelines need metal, but plastic is the better choice for everything else, ” says Sundberg. The combination of metal with fluoropolymers such as ETFE and PFA has been proven to be the most suitable material for high-pressure and high-temperature applications in hydrogen production.
“We supply lined piping systems, storage tanks, and process vessels for the chemical and hydrogen industries,” says Tjerk Berendsen from MB Plastics. “In electrolysis plants, linings are also applied to structural components that come into contact with hydrogen. We also offer special fillings to ETFE and PFA, which improves the properties even more! These linings play a crucial role in preventing hydrogen permeation and ensuring product purity, as contamination during production can significantly compromise efficiency and safety.”
With decades of experience and a commitment to innovation, MB Plastics continues to set the standard for high-performance fluoroplastic linings. Their expertise ensures that industries worldwide can operate safely and efficiently, even under the most extreme conditions.
Engineering plastics are resistant to rust in pure water and corrosion in saline water. Their durability against chemicals makes them ideal for demanding environments. For example, PE100-RC is optimal for seawater handling, while PP and PVDF pipes suit ultra-pure water (UPW) production. Other high-performance plastics like FEP or ECTFE are ideal for handling the electrolytes used in Alkaline Electrolyzers. Plastic production is also energy-efficient, lightweight, and insulated, reducing carbon footprints and costs. For the transport of gaseous hydrogen, a piping system made of PE 100-RC is the ideal choice. Besides their reliability and safety, PE 100-RC pipes and fittings are cost-effective, easy to install, and maintain.
In the Baltic Sea and global marine regions, plastic pipelines could extend infrastructure lifespan, reduce maintenance costs, and lower carbon footprints. “We should consider the carbon footprint of the materials. Plastic is also the more affordable choice”, Sundberg adds.
Harnessing Plastic Expertise for Hydrogen Innovation
Sundberg stresses the need to shift perspectives: “We want people to explore alternatives. In Finland, even engineering firms and policymakers don’t fully seem to understand plastic’s qualities and benefits. We are pioneers in plastic technologies, but as we advance in hydrogen production, plastic is suddenly overlooked. Why? At Atolli, we’re experts in all aspects of plastic, not just pipelines,” Sundberg emphasizes. “We offer turnkey solutions, from initial designs to vessel and pipe systems infrastructure for hydrogen production.”
“If you want to produce hydrogen from water, contact us. Together with our partners, like Agru, we know how to extend the lifespan of every hydrogen production stage by choosing the right material for the right purpose.”
The Right Material for the Right Purpose – Three Key Takeaways
- Plastic pipelines provide sustainable solutions and reduce the hydrogen economy’s carbon footprint by being corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and energy-efficient to produce. These traits make them an optimal choice for water purification, storage, and low-pressure hydrogen applications.
- Engineering plastics differ from everyday plastic, and while a significant amount is produced and used across industries, it remains underutilised in the hydrogen economy.
- Companies like Atolli, MB Plastics and Agru can potentially be at the global forefront of sustainable hydrogen infrastructure.