Asahi Kasei to Supply 1 MW-Class Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen Project in Finland
Diversified Japanese industrial group Asahi Kasei is set to supply its Aqualyzer™-C3, a 1 MW-class containerized alkaline water electrolyzer system, to a pioneering hydrogen production initiative in Finland. The recipient, the Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof), will deploy the system in Jyväskylä as part of its broader mission to drive decarbonization and promote sustainable mobility. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Asahi Kasei’s global expansion into the green hydrogen market and aligns with Finland’s goals for carbon neutrality and energy transition.
The installation of the electrolyzer is scheduled to begin in late 2025, with full operational capability anticipated by the first half of 2026. Once operational, the system will provide a reliable local source of clean hydrogen, contributing to the establishment of a hydrogen refueling infrastructure and enabling the practical use of hydrogen-powered transportation in Central Finland.
Advancing Hydrogen Technology with Aqualyzer™-C3
Asahi Kasei’s Aqualyzer™-C3 represents the latest evolution in the company’s hydrogen production technology. Designed as a compact and modular unit, the containerized system offers flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for a range of hydrogen use cases from small industrial applications to transportation refueling stations.
The 1 MW-class Aqualyzer™-C3 system can generate enough hydrogen in a single hour to refill approximately three fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). Its containerized format simplifies installation and transportation while allowing for easy expansion of capacity through the addition of further units as hydrogen demand increases.
This project in Jyväskylä is one of the first deployments of the Aqualyzer™-C3 outside Japan and demonstrates the system’s viability in cold-climate conditions—a key consideration for hydrogen infrastructure in northern Europe. The successful integration of this system will serve as a proof-of-concept for wider implementation across the region.
Building on Decades of Electrolysis Expertise
Asahi Kasei’s involvement in electrolysis technology dates back nearly 50 years, beginning with its chlor-alkali electrolysis business in 1975. The company leveraged this foundation to develop advanced water electrolysis systems specifically for hydrogen production. These efforts culminated in the installation of its 10 MW-class Aqualyzer™ system in 2020 at the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R) in Namie, Fukushima, Japan—a major step forward in renewable hydrogen generation.
The FH2R project demonstrated Asahi Kasei’s ability to integrate large-scale water electrolysis with intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, showcasing the flexibility and efficiency of its technology. Building on this success, the company introduced the Aqualyzer™-C3 in 2024 as a smaller-scale, containerized solution ranging from 1 MW to 7.5 MW. This product line aims to address the growing and varied needs of the emerging global hydrogen economy.
According to Kenji Takeda, Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and head of business development for the company’s Green Solution Project, the move marks a major shift toward full-scale commercialization. “With this project, our hydrogen-related business has moved fully into the commercialization phase,” Takeda stated. “We will work with our partners to demonstrate the reliability of our alkaline water electrolysis system through installation in extreme cold-climate environments and contribute to the decarbonization of the Central Finland region. We are proud to be a one-stop supplier providing support from installation to hydrogen production operations.”
Supporting Finland’s Green Hydrogen Ecosystem
The Aqualyzer™-C3 system will be installed by the Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof), a forward-looking organization founded to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation and city planning through green hydrogen technologies. Established by the City of Jyväskylä, Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, and the Toyota Mobility Foundation, Cefmof focuses on developing practical and visible applications of hydrogen in everyday life.
Cefmof’s activities support hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as fuel cell cars and buses, along with the supporting infrastructure needed to make them viable for daily use. The upcoming installation of Asahi Kasei’s system represents a critical step toward realizing this goal. By producing clean hydrogen locally, the city can reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and take a leadership role in low-carbon urban mobility.
“This project will be a key part of the emerging green hydrogen ecosystem in Central Finland and highlights Cefmof’s long-term commitment to building a carbon neutral future in the region,” said Haruka Arai, Executive Director of Cefmof. “This development supports the practical realization of a functioning hydrogen refueling infrastructure in Jyväskylä.”
Scalable, Reliable, and Future-Ready
One of the major advantages of the Aqualyzer™-C3 system is its inherent scalability. The modular design allows users to expand hydrogen production capacity incrementally by connecting additional units as demand grows. This makes the system particularly well-suited for evolving urban environments and pilot projects that aim to grow over time into large-scale infrastructure.
As the hydrogen economy matures, flexibility in deployment and capacity will be key. Asahi Kasei’s container-type electrolyzer provides not only adaptability but also high reliability, leveraging the company’s decades of experience in membrane and electrochemical technologies. The system’s robust design ensures consistent performance even in extreme weather conditions, a crucial feature for northern regions like Finland.
In addition, Asahi Kasei’s role as a one-stop supplier enhances its value proposition. The company offers comprehensive support throughout the product lifecycle—from planning and installation to maintenance and operational guidance. This end-to-end approach lowers barriers to adoption and helps partners like Cefmof deploy hydrogen technology with confidence.
Strategic Vision and Long-Term Commitment
The supply of the Aqualyzer™-C3 to Finland fits within Asahi Kasei’s broader medium-term management strategy, which identifies hydrogen-related technology as a pillar of growth. As global momentum builds around clean energy and decarbonization, the company is positioning itself as a leading supplier of water electrolysis systems for diverse applications.
In pursuit of this vision, Asahi Kasei continues to invest in the development of its hydrogen business, forming strategic partnerships and exploring new markets. The company’s expertise in ion-exchange membranes—originally developed for chlor-alkali processes—remains a cornerstone of its technological advantage. By leveraging these intangible assets, including a robust customer network and strong engineering capabilities, Asahi Kasei is accelerating the commercialization of green hydrogen solutions.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Asahi Kasei and Cefmof not only advances hydrogen production in Finland but also serves as a model for how public-private partnerships can drive innovation in clean energy. The project showcases the potential of hydrogen as a reliable energy carrier in cold climates and provides a blueprint for sustainable urban mobility systems worldwide.
