Hydrogen revolution! Will there now be a flood of matches? thyssenkrupp nucera, Linde, First Hydrogen

EU matchmaking portal increases transparency and facilitates financing

To date, only a few large hydrogen projects in Europe have reached a final investment decision – often due to a lack of binding purchase agreements to secure investments. The new matchmaking portal aims to close this gap by creating transparency, connecting potential partners, and thus increasing planning security for projects. In fact, according to experts, the lack of long-term purchase commitments is one of the biggest obstacles to the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. The EU Commission stated that the portal should reduce uncertainty, improve transparency, and support the expansion of infrastructure and access to financing. The first calls for tenders were launched a few days ago.

First Hydrogen gains visibility thanks to new EU initiative

The industry hopes that the new portal will finally enable many planned projects to be finalized and new plans to be implemented directly. Since the new platform is linked to other EU funding instruments and, according to industry observers, is making a positive impression, this optimism seems justified. In addition to large European industrial companies such as thyssenkrupp nucera and Linde, smaller companies are also likely to benefit from the new development. One of these is First Hydrogen. In a recent statement, the Company praised the EU. According to First Hydrogen, the portal offers "a way to reduce project risks, find off-take partners, secure commercial agreements, and connect with European financial institutions." Specifically, management expects the platform to help companies like First Hydrogen advance their fuel cell-powered vehicles and green energy projects in Europe.

The new portal is likely to raise the profile of young companies in particular. As First Hydrogen also operates within the EU through its subsidiary First Hydrogen GmbH, the Company could act as both a potential hydrogen supplier and a solutions provider for sustainable vehicle fleets. In recent years, First Hydrogen has conducted successful test runs with fuel cell delivery vans and offers electrolysers and other solutions related to clean energy and hydrogen. Following the 2025 expansion into Germany, initial links to the local economy became apparent. The new matchmaking portal could now help secure initial customers, simplify financing for a production plant, and open additional funding opportunities.

nucera and Linde: Hydrogen giants hope for revival

thyssenkrupp nucera is a leading global provider of electrolysis technologies and is considered a trendsetter in large-scale industrial plants for green hydrogen production. The Company, which emerged from the former thyssenkrupp chlor-alkali electrolysis division, was floated on the stock exchange in 2023 and combines decades of experience in plant engineering with new green growth areas. Although thyssenkrupp nucera is already considered one of the first points of contact for large industrial customers when it comes to hydrogen, it can also benefit from the new EU matchmaking portal.

Once producers and large consumers such as steel mills and refineries are brought together, many projects in the pipeline could turn into concrete orders. nucera's management has recently expressed cautious optimism and continues to believe in the potential of the European hydrogen market. Analysts at mwb research share this optimism and see nucera on a long-term growth path thanks to the expected wave of orders in the hydrogen sector. The situation is likely to be similar for gas specialist Linde. There, short- and long-term market expectations were still far apart in the summer. However, the EU's new Hydrogen Mechanism could also provide a boost for Linde, which has made headlines in recent months with several hydrogen projects in Germany.

Is the EU hydrogen market picking up speed? First Hydrogen offers leverage

The new matchmaking portal, which is also closely linked to existing funding opportunities, gives cause for hope. The new transparency is intended to stimulate the market for hydrogen within the EU. If even large companies welcome the development, the effect for smaller suppliers such as First Hydrogen is likely to be even greater. The small-cap stock is significantly more speculative than thyssenkrupp nucera and Linde, but conversely also offers more opportunities – the dynamic rise in the share price this summer shows what is possible. If the EU hydrogen market gains momentum, smaller companies with less name recognition but compelling products and solutions could benefit in particular.