Hitachi Zosen Inova acquires German power-to-gas company Etogas

Zurich, Switzerland-based Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) is supplementing its renewable energy activities by acquiring the business of Etogas, Stuttgart, Germany. Following the acquisitions of Kompogas and BioMethan, this marks a further step in the field of sustainable energy recovery and use.

The business operations, employees, patents, property rights, expertise and related assets acquired will be transferred to the newly established Hitachi Zosen Inova Etogas, based in Stuttgart. With the acquisition of the Etogas power-to-gas (PtG) technology, the Swiss company supplements its existing offering in the areas of thermal and biological energy-from-waste recovery and biomethane upgrading.

The developments in the energy sector call for flexible solutions to constantly ensure uninterrupted power supply and grid stability. The Etogas technology is designed to address these issues by converting electricity into hydrogen using pressure electrolysis and methanation. By adding carbon dioxide (CO2) from biogas plants, the hydrogen is converted into carbon-neutral synthetic natural gas (SNG), which is fed into the existing natural gas grid.

“With the acquisition of Etogas, we are setting a further milestone in the renewable energy supply sector,” said HZI CEO Franz-Josef Mengede. “HZI’s acquisition of Etogas once again demonstrates our commitment to finding sustainable solutions. The Etogas technology serves as a key component in the energy transition process.”

As a start-up firm, Etogas was able to establish itself primarily in the German market. International markets, however, have remained largely untapped. HZI as parent company will provide the necessary marketing, distribution network and other synergies for entering these markets. This takeover will also ensure the Etogas location in Stuttgart will remain.

Etogas employees were informed of the current situation and the next steps at a special information event.