In a significant move toward decarbonizing its European operations, TotalEnergies has partnered with Air Liquide to produce renewable hydrogen at its La Mède biorefinery in southeastern France. This initiative is part of TotalEnergies’ broader 2030 strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of hydrogen used in its refineries across Europe.

The new project builds on the company’s ongoing efforts, complementing the Masshylia project in collaboration with ENGIE. Masshylia focuses on green hydrogen production through water electrolysis, further enhancing the sustainability of TotalEnergies' operations. Together, these projects aim to reduce annual CO2 emissions at La Mède by 130,000 tons.

A renewable hydrogen boost for biofuels

Air Liquide will construct and operate the renewable hydrogen production unit at the La Mède platform, with an annual capacity of 25,000 tons. This hydrogen will be used to produce biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), both crucial components of TotalEnergies' low-carbon fuel portfolio. The €150 million investment will see the new facility come online in 2028, marking a major milestone in the refinery’s transformation into a low-carbon hydrogen production hub.

Vincent Stoquart, President of Refining & Chemicals at TotalEnergies, commented, “This new renewable hydrogen production project, carried out with Air Liquide, allows us to accelerate the decarbonization of our La Mède platform. Almost ten years after its conversion, La Mède is continuing its transformation and is becoming a low-carbon hydrogen production center, thus contributing to the decarbonization ambition of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-D’azur region.”

Masshylia and the path to green hydrogen

In parallel, TotalEnergies continues the development of the Masshylia project, which will produce 10,000 tons of green hydrogen per year. This initiative, in collaboration with ENGIE, will involve water electrolysis technology and aims to support the decarbonization of both the La Mède biorefinery and local industrial customers in the Fos-Berre industrial-port zone. The first 20 MW electrolyser is expected to come online in 2029, pending the confirmation of subsidies and public authorizations.

Source: TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies’ commitment to decarbonization

TotalEnergies is focused on reducing the carbon footprint of its energy production and refining processes. The company’s goal is to use low-carbon hydrogen to help decarbonize its European refineries, a strategy that is projected to cut CO2 emissions by approximately three million tons annually by 2030.

These renewable hydrogen projects at La Mède represent a major step in TotalEnergies’ broader commitment to building a sustainable, low-carbon future for both its operations and the wider energy industry.