Europe's only hydrogen center for industry launches in Saxony

Particular attention is paid to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, which are specifically supported in the HIC to develop new business areas in the field of hydrogen technologies. The HIC thus makes a key contribution to the competitiveness of Germany as an industrial location and to the economic transformation in Saxony.

• Helping to shape structural change and promoting SMEs

Germany is facing the biggest industrial transformation in its recent history. Suppliers, machine and plant manufacturers in particular, with their numerous SMEs, must master the transition to a post-fossil economy. Hydrogen plays a key role in this - not only in transportation, but also in energy supply and industrial processes. Saxony, with its more than 700 automotive suppliers, mechanical and plant engineering companies, is one of the most important cluster regions in Germany. The HIC in Chemnitz acts as a catalyst for this transformation and supports companies in opening up new fields of value creation. The HIC's focus on small and medium-sized enterprises addresses a central challenge of the German economic structure: SMEs form the backbone of the German economy, but often do not have the resources for independent hydrogen research and
development. The HIC closes this gap with hydrogen laboratories and test stands that can be rented for the first time, as well as development services that are also accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises without their own research infrastructure. This innovative approach is intended to facilitate entry into the hydrogen economy. The facility also offers start-ups in the field of hydrogen technologies attractive conditions for setting up in the region, thus promoting the creation of new jobs in the region.

• HIC Research and Transfer Center started its work in 2025

The HIC in Chemnitz is one of four strategic locations in the national Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Center (ITZ), which together receive up to 290 million euros in federal funding. In Chemnitz, a development and test environment for hydrogen technologies that is unique in Europe is being created on the 37,000 square meter technology campus.

With the HIC Research and Transfer Center, a central component of the HIC has been actively working as a technological service provider since March 2025 and combines services that can be used directly by companies. The core task lies in the development and construction of digital twins of stacks and systems as well as a virtual test environment that customers can use as independent development platforms.

The range of services includes the development, simulation and specification of stacks, systems and components as well as process analyses, feasibility studies, market studies and patent research for hydrogen technologies. This already provides companies with a practical platform for entering the hydrogen economy - a clear added value, especially for SMEs that need to access R&D resources quickly.