Hydrogen Production in Kazakhstan Gets a Boost with Air Liquide Investment in Pavlodar

Kazakhstan’s hydrogen sector made a big leap forward on May 29, 2025, as Air Liquide Munay Tech Gases LLP (ALMTG) inked a major investment deal to build a brand-new hydrogen plant at the Pavlodar Oil Chemistry Refinery. This isn’t just any hydrogen project, either — the facility is set to use methane steam reforming along with a custom process that turns butane-butylene fractions into hydrogen. That approach was specifically selected to work around Pavlodar’s limited access to natural gas, making it a smart, site-specific solution that hits the mark.

Boosting hydrogen production while modernizing Kazakhstan’s refining industry

The upcoming plant is designed to pump out a solid 12,500 cubic meters of hydrogen every hour, which will help power the creation of light oil products. This project also builds on a partnership between Air Liquide and KazMunayGas (KMG). It’s a strong signal that both companies are serious about scaling up hydrogen production in meaningful, locally-adapted ways.

More than just a new plant, this move highlights a forward-thinking approach to hydrogen infrastructure—especially in regions where resources can be tricky. It’s also another clear step in Kazakhstan’s larger push for refining modernization and industrial decarbonization. All in all, the project shows how targeted innovation and strong public-private collaboration can help unlock progress in the transition toward more sustainable energy solutions.