Hydrogen Flows Faster on the Gulf Coast

A Louisiana plant offers a new model for regional hydrogen supply using existing industrial infrastructure

29 Apr 2025

A new hydrogen facility in Louisiana is shifting how clean fuel reaches key industries along America’s Gulf Coast. Hidrogenii, a joint venture between chemical giant Olin and fuel-cell firm Plug Power, has opened a 15-ton-per-day liquid hydrogen plant in St. Gabriel.

Rather than building from scratch, the project repurposes an existing Olin site. This shortcut avoids the logistical headaches and costs tied to long-distance hydrogen transport. The plant draws hydrogen from Olin’s chlor-alkali electrolysis process, which Plug Power then liquefies and integrates into a streamlined delivery system. Heavy-duty transport, manufacturing and energy users nearby can now tap into a local fuel supply.

“This facility is more than a production site; it is a launchpad for a resilient, decentralized hydrogen network,” said Andy Marsh, Plug Power’s chief executive. Localised production, he argued, removes distribution bottlenecks and better matches rising demand.

The launch supports federal plans to make the Gulf Coast a hub for clean hydrogen. With existing chemical plants, pipelines and ports, the region is well suited to lead America’s low-carbon fuel shift. Industry analysts see Hidrogenii as a template that others may follow, especially in areas where infrastructure already exists but remains underused.

Yet questions remain. The environmental benefit of hydrogen depends heavily on how the electricity for its production is generated. Plug Power often works with renewables, but it has not disclosed the power source for this plant. The model’s success also hinges on continued uptake from transport operators and industrial users.

Still, the effort shows how old industrial assets can be retooled for cleaner ends. Rather than waiting for new networks to be built, a quicker route may lie in connecting the dots that already exist.