Hydrogen Dutch delegation - 2nd edition
February 2, 2025
Putting members in touch with each other, exchanging best practice and providing them with international support: these are just some of NextMove's ambitions, and various initiatives are being proposed to the cluster's members to help them achieve them. In January 2025, NextMove organised and hosted a Dutch delegation for a new mission on the subject of hydrogen, an area of particular interest to them. On this occasion, activities and stakeholders in the field were presented to them in Île-de-France and Normandy.
Participanting entities
Envalior E-MobileTron Innovam Ionbond Netherlands B.V. Mitsubishi Turbocharger and Engine Europe (MTEE NBSO Lille Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) NPS Driven RAI Automotive Industry NL Trescal VDL ETS
For the second time, and following on from the first hydrogen mission held in January 2024, a Dutch delegation travelled to France, and more specifically to the region areas covered by NextMove, to meet and talk to players in the field. The mission took place from 27 to 29 January 2025, in collaboration with partner RAI Automotive Industry NL and with the support of the Dutch Embassy in France.
It was an inspiring 3 days, during which participants were able to meet NextMove network entities in Normandy and Île-de-France, as well as attend the Hyvolution Paris trade fair, where a host of innovative solutions and major players were represented.
Day 1: Normandy, an area of excellence in this field
To get things off to a flying start, the mission began with meetings in Normandy, and more specifically in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray:
The CERTAM, an engineering and research technology centre with 30 years' experience, welcomed us for this first visit. At the centre, various engine concepts, including hydrogen engines, are rigorously tested at component level. The participants had the opportunity to visit the premises and learn more about the test benches and see the centre's equipment.
The afternoon continued with a meeting of Normandie Energies at NextMove. Major projects both established and planned, the region's strategy, an overview of the players in the field: a comprehensive and global presentation of the most active French region in the field was given, enabling participants to discover the activities of this almost neighbouring region, which the 2024 mission had not been able to assess.
The day ended with a convivial dinner for the participants and organisers of the mission in Rouen, bringing this first day in Normandy to a close with an almost touristy dimension.
Day 2: Meeting with major market players and discovering innovative solutions
Welcomed at the headquarters of Bosch France, the mission then continued for the Dutch entities with a presentation of the HyMot consortium and their project.
Bosch Engineering GmbH, FORVIA, TotalEnergies and Renault were present, and together with other partners are developing a hydrogen combustion engine for a Renault Master, of which four engines have already been built.
The partners were able to answer a large number of questions from the participants, and the session was followed by a cocktail reception organised by Bosch, which encouraged discussions and the exchange of contacts.
After visiting Saint-Ouen, the group then travelled across Paris to Paris Saclay to meet innovative start-up SPARK Cleantech. Located on the CentraleSupélec campus, SPARK Cleantech produces hydrogen and solid carbon using nanopulsed cold plasma, a revolutionary carbon-free technology.
At the end of the day, a networking cocktail gave the Dutch companies the opportunity to meet other members of the NextMove hydrogen network: AFPA, FORVIA, Haïku, Hutchinson, IFP Energies Nouvelles, OPMobility and TotalEnergies, as well as the Dutch Ministry for Climate Policy and Green Growth and the ** Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs** honoured us with their participation
Day 3: an event to shape the future of hydrogen
The mission ended with a final day at the Hyvolution Paris trade fair, where NextMove organised a number of meetings.
The group visited and exchanged ideas on the stands of France Hydrogène, Stellantis, Bosch and OPMobility, and also attended an inspiring round table on the French and Dutch players - a day rich in discoveries of the latest hydrogen technologies.
Finally, this 2nd edition will not only have strengthened the strategic partnerships between French and Dutch players, but will also have highlighted the technological advances and innovations that are positioning France as an undisputed leader in the energy transition. The fruitful exchanges and planned collaborations promise to further stimulate the development of sustainable solutions, paving the way for a greener, more prosperous future for all.
If you’re a national/international network or institutional actor, and you would like to propose a visit of the French mobility ecosystem to your members, don’t hesitate to contact the NextMove team to plan this together!
Contact: Blandine Flichy - blandine.flichy@nextmove.fr
