The competitive landscape of the global hydrogen generators is highly consolidated, with the top 5 companies–Linde AG, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Praxair Technology Inc., Hydrogenics Corporation, Air Liquide-accounting for more than 95% of the market in 2014. Most companies operating in the global hydrogen generators market focus on generation and distribution. However, leading players such as Linde AG and Air Liquide have successfully achieved backward integration of the market’s supply chain, giving them considerable control over their pricing structure.
According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the revenue of the global hydrogen generators market is expected to reach US$833.8 mn by the end of 2016 and further rise to US$1.2 bn by the end of 2024.
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North America, Europe to Retain Dominance in Global Hydrogen Generators Market
Of the two types of hydrogen generators in the global market, on-site generators dominated the market in 2015, with the segment accounting for a whopping 72.8% of the global market. The segment is likely to further extend its lead over the portable hydrogen generators segment in the forecast period. “On-site hydrogen generation is significantly more cost-effective for most customers, since hydrogen generators are usually required in remote areas. Since transporting stored hydrogen to these application sites can be troublesome, on-site generation is likely to remain the preferred mode of procurement in the coming years,” explained TMR’s lead analyst.
Geographically, North America and Europe are likely to dominate the global hydrogen generators market in the coming years, with North America remaining in the lead. These two regions account for close to 75% of the global market, and are likely to remain similarly dominant in the coming years. Asia Pacific, while a key emerging market, is expected to remain a distant third through the forecast period.
Lack of Storage Issues Drives Demand for Hydrogen Generators
The key driver for the global hydrogen generators market is the immediate on-site availability of hydrogen. This represents a significant advance over conventional methods, as storage and transportation of hydrogen–one of the most flammable gases–is both risky and expensive. On-site hydrogen generators also provide a continuous supply of hydrogen and offer the user greater control over the production and distribution of hydrogen. This allows the user to use low-pressure storage tanks, which are less expensive than the tanks used in conventional storage and transportation of hydrogen.
The easy availability of low-cost natural gas is another key driver for the global hydrogen generators market. Of the various types of feedstock used to generate hydrogen, natural gas is the most cost-effective option, regardless of whether the hydrogen generators are operated on-site or remotely.
On the other hand, the use of natural gas in hydrogen generation has caused environmental concerns due to the greenhouse gas emissions caused by combustion of natural gas. Steam reforming, an efficient production process utilizing natural gas, has become common in the hydrogen generators market at present, and presents a viable short-term solution. Nevertheless, while natural gas is among the cleanest burning fossil fuels, the use of non-fossil-fuel feedstock is likely to be encouraged in the global hydrogen generators market in the coming years.
The global hydrogen generators market is segmented as follows:
Hydrogen Generator Market: By Product Type
- On-Site Generation
- Portable
Hydrogen Generator Market: By Process Type
- Steam Reformer
- Electrolysis
- Others
Hydrogen Generator Market: By Application
- Chemical Processing
- Fuel Cells
- Petroleum Recovery
- Refining
- Others
Hydrogen Generator Market: By Capacity
- 1-100 W
- 100-300 W
- 300-700W
- 700W-1 KW
- 1-3KW
- 3KW and above
