HAPAG-LLOYD AG NA O.N.
Commented by Nico Popp on January 14th, 2026 | 07:05 CET
Between euphoria and industrial realism: How Linde, Hapag-Lloyd, and dynaCERT are defining the new reality of the hydrogen economy
We are witnessing a decisive turning point in the global hydrogen economy: The phase of speculative euphoria that characterized the beginning of the decade has given way to a phase of industrial realism and technocratic implementation. In investor circles and industry analyses, the term "mean reversion" has become established – a return to reality, away from unrealistic hyper-growth scenarios and toward physically feasible projects. According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global Hydrogen Review 2025, the hydrogen sector continues to grow steadily and reached demand of nearly 100 million tons in 2024, but the structure of this growth is more complex than previously forecast. In this new environment, where regulatory interventions such as FuelEU Maritime and emissions trading (EU ETS) set the pace, three distinct winner profiles are emerging: infrastructure giant Linde, logistics heavyweight Hapag-Lloyd, and technology bridge builder dynaCERT, which occupies a highly compelling niche.
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