Biorefineries boost hydrogen demand

Industrial gases firm Air Liquide says growth of biorefining sector compensating for reduced hydrogen demand in standard refineries

Reduced hydrogen demand from oil refineries now processing lighter varieties of crude is being offset by the growth in demand from biorefineries, according to industrial gases firm Air Liquide. Refineries use hydrogen in the desulphurisation of crude oil to make petrol, diesel and other chemicals. Sanctions on Russian fossil fuels mean many refineries, especially those in Europe, have been processing lighter crudes, according to Air Liquide CEO Francois Jackow. “The impact of lighter crude means they need less hydrogen to process,” he said on a call presenting the firm’s H1 2022 results, without providing any concrete figures for Air Liquide’s hydrogen sales. “However, we are seeing this bei