With the support of the European Innovation Fund, these innovative projects can make a crucial contribution to the greening of industry in Belgium and the Netherlands. For many companies, this transition is a major challenge, partly due to the high costs, strict regulations and complexity of new technologies. This European subsidy supports sustainable innovation on an industrial scale and makes the necessary investments in green technology more feasible.

ZestA – ArcelorMittal (Belgium) 
ArcelorMittal is considering a project to build two electric furnaces and a DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) installation. This technology can eventually work with hydrogen instead of coal, which can drastically reduce CO₂ emissions.

H2BE – Engie and Equinor (Belgium) 
Engie and Equinor want to produce hydrogen on a large scale in Ghent. With a gigahydrogen plant, running on Norwegian natural gas, CO₂ is captured and sent to Norway for storage in the seabed.

The European Innovation Fund offers support to large-scale green projects that can contribute to the climate goals of 2030. With a total subsidy pot of 4.8 billion euros, financed by the European Emissions Trading System, the fund is an important pillar in supporting innovative, CO₂-reducing initiatives. Support from the Innovation Fund can amount to hundreds of millions of euros for large projects. These funds are crucial for the Scheldt Delta region: they lower the threshold for large-scale investments and bring the ambition of a climate-neutral industry in 2050 closer.

Other mega projects from SDR members have also been selected previously:

EnergHys – TotalEnergies, Zeeland Refinery (Netherlands)  
With this project, TotalEnergies focuses on the production of green hydrogen with a 300 MW electrolysis plant in Vlissingen, powered by offshore wind energy.

Elygator – Air Liquide (Netherlands) 
With this large hydrogen project, Air Liquide aims to produce renewable hydrogen in Terneuzen with a 200 MW electrolyser. By combining two electrolysis technologies (PEM and alkaline), the system can flexibly respond to variations in renewable energy production and at the same time helps to improve the stability of the electricity grid.

For more information on all selected projects of the Innovation Fund, see Innovation Fund projects - European Commission

Related news

Volvo Group Ghent celebrates 50 years: start of construction of zero-emission mobility hub

19 September, 2025
Electrification
Hydrogen
Cooperation
Innovation

The Volvo Group is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its truck factory in Ghent and, at the same time, taking the next step in sustainable transformation: the construction of a zero-emission mobility hub on and around the site. The 50th anniversary was celebrated at the Ghent site. The programme focused on craftsmanship, innovation and the sustainable future of mobility.

Volvo Group Belgium 50 jaar Air Products SDR

Fluxys starts construction of first phase of Belgian hydrogen network

28 March, 2025
Hydrogen

The first pipelines are being laid in the port areas of Antwerp and Ghent, with a strategic connection between Kallo and Zelzate. The new hydrogen infrastructure will be crucial for making industry in our region more sustainable.

Fluxys waterstof netwerk Smart Delta Resources

TotalEnergies and Air Liquide invest €600 million in green hydrogen project in the Scheldt Delta region

26 February, 2025
Hydrogen
Cooperation

This large-scale project for the production of green hydrogen is an important step in making the regional industry more sustainable.

zr