Hydrogen Production Technologies (2025 Program)

Hydrogen is a key feedstock used in the chemical and refining industries. Most hydrogen is produced from natural gas via steam methane reforming (SMR), autothermal reforming (ATR) and partial oxidation (POX) as well as from gasification of fossil fuels such as coal and oil and, increasingly, from water electrolysis due to its low carbon footprint. In addition, hydrogen from ammonia cracking is a commercially proven pathway that is drawing growing interest as a viable method for clean hydrogen distribution. Thus, the cost of production and associated carbon intensity via those technologies for plants in the United States, Western Europe, and China have been estimated for the first quarter of 2025. NexantECA also provides an overview of global hydrogen capacity and a high-level analysis of the business and strategic considerations and technology availability from the perspective of a company entering or expanding into the hydrogen market.