Six engineers from global materials giant Asahi Kasei have been awarded Japan’s prestigious Tanahashi Prize, recognizing a breakthrough in clean hydrogen production that could accelerate the world’s shift toward a low-carbon economy.

 

The honour, presented by the Electrochemical Society of Japan, celebrates their work developing and operating a large-scale alkaline water electrolysis system—technology widely seen as critical to scaling up green hydrogen.

 

At the heart of the achievement is a 10 MW pilot plant in Namie, Fukushima, running since March 2020 under a government-backed program led by NEDO. Designed to test performance in real-world conditions, the facility has demonstrated long-term stability while supplying hydrogen to nearby stations and industrial users.

 

Momentum is building. In March 2024, Asahi Kasei launched a second pilot in Kawasaki, where engineers are pushing the system further—testing a modular setup under commercial conditions for the first time. The site operates four 0.8-MW units in parallel, probing durability, efficiency, and responsiveness to the erratic power flows typical of solar and wind energy.

 

Together, the projects are tackling one of hydrogen’s biggest challenges: how to produce it reliably and at scale using renewable energy.

 

The results are already feeding into ambitious next steps. By combining multiple 10-MW modules, Asahi Kasei aims to deliver systems exceeding 100 MW capacity—bringing industrial-scale hydrogen production within reach while reducing the risks of commercialization.

 

“The alkaline water electrolysis equipment recognized with this award was developed using technology cultivated over many years at Asahi Kasei. Building on these advancements, we aim to become a leading supplier in water electrolysis, as we are in the chlor-alkali electrolysis business. We will continue to push the envelope of what is possible in the development of a clean hydrogen society and electrolysis technology," said Yasuhiro Fujita, one of the award recipients.

 

The technology has already supported broader initiatives, including a green ammonia project backed by Japan’s Green Innovation Fund—underscoring its role in building a future hydrogen economy.

 

“This project leveraged our extensive construction experience with electrolysis systems to promote facility design and construction that prioritizes safety, quality, and efficiency. We were responsible for the entire process from design through commissioning and have advanced the equipment based on demonstration data, which we believe was recognized in this award. 

 

"Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen our engineering and development capabilities and contribute to the further evolution of water electrolysis systems," added fellow laureate Keita Suzuki.