Green Hydrogen Powers Cement Decarbonization at Molins’ Barcelona Plant

Molins, one of Spain’s top cement makers, just got the green light from the Generalitat de Catalunya to kick off a major sustainable energy project at its Sant Vicenç dels Horts plant, just outside Barcelona. Starting in June 2025, the plant will begin producing green hydrogen on-site using renewable-powered electrolysis. What’s really interesting? They’ll source water from the nearby subway drainage system—turning runoff into a key ingredient for clean energy. The hydrogen produced will replace a chunk of the petcoke currently burned in the plant’s kilns, cutting down its yearly CO₂ emissions by about 3,600 tonnes.

Stepping Toward a Greener Future

This project is a big move for Molins and a major step forward in their Sustainability Roadmap 2030. It also lines up with the European Union’s broader push for industrial decarbonization. The cement industry has always been one of the tougher nuts to crack when it comes to emissions, so implementing hydrogen production at this scale is a game changer—and a potential blueprint for other heavy industries to follow.

Leading the Way with Hydrogen Innovation

Sure, there are still hurdles—both financial and technical—but Molins is proving it’s not afraid to take the leap. By blending green hydrogen into its kiln fuel mix, the company is staking its claim as a pioneer in the use of hydrogen in industrial-scale cement production. If successful, this could mark a turning point for how we think about sustainable practices in traditionally high-emission sectors.