TotalEnergies: Embedding Sustainability into Sourcing

Green hydrogen is emerging as a game-changer in industrial decarbonisation and, for procurement professionals, it represents a shift towards more sustainable sourcing strategies.Unlike grey hydrogen, which is derived from fossil fuels and emits CO₂, green hydrogen is produced using electrolysis powered by renewable energy, with oxygen as its only byproduct.

TotalEnergies is taking a decisive step towards integrating green hydrogen into its supply chain, aligning with its 2030 objective to cut emissions from its European refineries. The company’s partnership with Air Liquide is set to transform procurement processes by embedding sustainability into the sourcing of critical industrial inputs.

Decarbonising European refineries with green hydrogen

TotalEnergies aims to reduce CO₂ emissions from its refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands by 450,000 tons per year. To achieve this, the company is securing a long-term supply of green hydrogen through a strategic partnership with Air Liquide, a global leader in industrial gases and technology.

This collaboration will produce 45,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, replacing fossil-based alternatives and significantly cutting emissions at key refinery sites.

The initiative is underpinned by two major projects in the Netherlands – both powered by the OranjeWind offshore wind farm, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and RWE.

From a procurement perspective, this marks a shift in how refineries source hydrogen. Instead of relying on conventional grey hydrogen suppliers, TotalEnergies is building a sustainable supply chain that aligns with its broader carbon reduction commitments.

Key projects driving hydrogen procurement

The Zeeland Project

The first major initiative is a 250MW electrolyser near the Zeeland refinery, developed through a joint venture equally owned by TotalEnergies and Air Liquide. This facility, set to be operational by 2029, will produce up to 30,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. By integrating this hydrogen into refinery operations, TotalEnergies expects to cut 300,000 tons of CO₂ emissions each year.

For procurement teams, this project highlights the importance of securing renewable energy sources to power hydrogen production. The shift towards green hydrogen requires long-term planning, ensuring that supply agreements with renewable power providers align with production goals.

The Antwerp Project

The second initiative, part of Air Liquide’s 200MW ELYgator electrolyser project, will supply 15,000 tons of green hydrogen annually to TotalEnergies’ Antwerp platform. Under a tolling agreement, TotalEnergies will provide renewable electricity from OranjeWind to Air Liquide, which will use it to produce hydrogen for the refinery.

Expected to start operations by late 2027, this project aims to reduce Antwerp’s refinery emissions by up to 150,000 tons per year. For procurement professionals, this demonstrates a collaborative sourcing model where energy supply and industrial demand are tightly integrated.

Vincent Stoquart, President, Refining and Chemicals at TotalEnergies, explains: “By supplying these two electrolysers with renewable electricity from our offshore wind project in the Netherlands, TotalEnergies is leveraging its positioning as an integrated electricity company.

“The partnership with Air Liquide takes on a new dimension and marks a new step in TotalEnergies’ ambition to decarbonise the hydrogen consumed by its refineries in Europe by 2030.”

Sustainable procurement in the hydrogen economy

TotalEnergies and Air Liquide have an established history of working together on decarbonisation projects. Their ongoing collaborations include:

• La Mède biorefinery – Air Liquide supports TotalEnergies in reducing emissions at this facility.
• Gonfreville refinery – Air Liquide supplies renewable hydrogen to replace fossil-based hydrogen.
• Normandy industrial basin – The companies are developing a low-carbon hydrogen network.

For procurement professionals, these partnerships illustrate how sustainable sourcing strategies are evolving. Instead of relying solely on conventional energy sources, companies are forging long-term agreements to secure low-carbon inputs.

Emilie Mouren-Renouard, Group Vice President and Member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee in charge of Europe operations, emphasises the significance of these projects: “Flagship projects such as the ones we are announcing today will play a key role in reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors such as industry and heavy mobility.

“We are proud to lead the way on European renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production, and to accompany TotalEnergies in its journey to decarbonising its industrial assets.

“These two projects will complete the five Air Liquide low carbon units already in operation or construction in Europe. This illustrates our capacity to offer concrete solutions to our customers, to reach our carbon neutrality ambition by 2050 and to support Europe’s leadership ambition towards decarbonised growth.

“It also demonstrates the ability of Air Liquide to develop solid business models in the energy field of low carbon hydrogen.”

The future of hydrogen procurement in Europe

As these projects come online, they will provide valuable insights into large-scale green hydrogen production and its integration into industrial supply chains.

TotalEnergies is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable hydrogen procurement, securing more than 170,000 tons of green hydrogen per year across key European refineries, including La Mède, Grandpuits, Normandy in France, Leuna in Germany and sites in Belgium and the Netherlands.

This commitment is a cornerstone of TotalEnergies’ wider decarbonisation strategy. The company has set a target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. Procurement plays a crucial role in achieving this, as securing reliable and sustainable hydrogen supplies is essential to transforming industrial processes.

For procurement leaders, TotalEnergies’ strategy highlights the importance of integrating sustainability into sourcing decisions. The transition from fossil-based to green hydrogen requires long-term agreements with renewable energy suppliers, investment in infrastructure and strategic collaborations with technology partners.

As industries increasingly look to decarbonise, procurement professionals will be at the forefront of securing the energy and materials needed to drive these transitions. With TotalEnergies and Air Liquide leading the way, the role of procurement in shaping a low-carbon future has never been more critical.

Explore the latest edition of Procurement Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.

Procurement Magazine is a BizClik brand