PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1933246
PUBLISHER: Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd. | PRODUCT CODE: 1933246
The global hydrogen market is expanding rapidly as nations strive to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero targets. Valued at USD 229.53 billion in 2025, the market is projected to reach USD 242.63 billion in 2026 and is expected to grow to USD 406.95 billion by 2034, representing a CAGR of 6.36% during the forecast period. In 2025, the Asia Pacific region dominated the market with a share of 31.45%, driven by strong industrial demand, abundant renewable energy resources, and robust government policies supporting hydrogen adoption.
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a versatile energy vector, supporting power generation, energy storage, and decarbonization across industries such as steel, cement, refining, and chemicals. It serves as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, helping nations meet net-zero pledges while facilitating the transition to renewable energy. Leading market players, including Air Liquide, Linde, Air Products, Shell, BP, Siemens Energy, Plug Power, and Cummins, are driving innovations in green hydrogen, storage, and fuel cell technologies. Notably, in February 2025, Siemens, Guofu Hydrogen, and RCT GH Hydrogen signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance green hydrogen value chains, focusing on electrolyzer-based production processes.
Market Dynamics
Drivers: The integration of hydrogen with renewable energy and storage solutions is a key growth driver. Green hydrogen enables storage of excess wind and solar energy, providing grid stability and supporting carbon-free electricity for industrial and transportation sectors. In April 2025, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) invested USD 104 million to explore green hydrogen potential and energy storage in Georgia, highlighting the strategic role of hydrogen in emerging markets.
Restraints: High production costs remain a major challenge. Green hydrogen production through electrolysis is energy-intensive, and associated infrastructure for storage, transport, and refueling adds to costs, making it less competitive than grey hydrogen or conventional fuels.
Opportunities: The shift toward hydrogen-based steelmaking is anticipated to boost demand. Traditional steel production generates significant CO2 emissions, and hydrogen-based DRI (direct reduced iron) technologies are gaining attention in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Projects like REFHYNE II in Germany, a 100 MW renewable hydrogen unit by Linde Engineering and Shell, aim to produce 44,000 kilograms/day of green hydrogen to decarbonize industrial operations.
Trends: Hydrogen adoption in shipping and heavy-duty vehicles is accelerating, as these sectors face challenges with battery electrification. Hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen-derived fuels such as green ammonia and methanol offer longer ranges, faster refueling, and lower emissions. For instance, Volvo Trucks is preparing hydrogen-powered combustion trucks for road testing in 2026, supporting decarbonization of heavy transport.
Challenges: High costs for green hydrogen and electrolyzer technologies hinder widespread adoption. Grey hydrogen, produced from natural gas, remains the dominant type due to its affordability and existing infrastructure.
By Type: Grey hydrogen dominates with a 95.25% share in 2026, produced via steam methane reforming (SMR) without carbon capture. Green hydrogen is the fastest-growing segment, with a CAGR of 15.33%, supported by government initiatives and investments in renewable energy projects.
By Production Process: Reforming (without carbon capture) held 81.00% share in 2026, driven by lower production costs and established SMR technology. Other processes, including water electrolysis, are expanding at a 9.27% CAGR, enabling low-carbon hydrogen solutions.
By End-Use Industry: Refineries dominate with a 40.53% share in 2025, as hydrogen is extensively used in hydrocracking and desulfurization. Methanol production is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.90%, reflecting increased hydrogen demand in chemical manufacturing. Steel and ammonia sectors are also key consumers, particularly with rising green hydrogen adoption.
Competitive Landscape
Major players include Linde plc, Air Liquide, Air Products, Shell, Aramco, Toyota, ITM Power, Nel ASA, Technip Energies, Cummins, Messer, Ballard Power, Plug Power, BP, and ExxonMobil. Strategic partnerships, infrastructure investments, and technological advancements are key strategies. For example, in March 2025, Air Products Qudra and Aramco formed a joint venture to supply low-carbon hydrogen to Jubail Industrial City.
Conclusion
The global hydrogen market is set to grow from USD 229.53 billion in 2025 to USD 406.95 billion by 2034, driven by industrial decarbonization, green hydrogen adoption, and infrastructure investments. Grey hydrogen currently dominates, but green hydrogen is the fastest-growing segment. Asia Pacific leads the market, followed by Europe and North America, with hydrogen playing a pivotal role in achieving global net-zero and energy transition goals.
Segmentation By Type
By Production Process
By End-Use Industry
By Geography