Companies at the forefront of the global hydrogen industry were honoured last night at the World Hydrogen Awards in Rotterdam.

Held following the opening day of the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition 2026, the ceremony recognised excellence across seven award categories, highlighting the organisations and individuals driving progress in the hydrogen economy.

The World Hydrogen Summit, the world’s largest and most influential gathering dedicated to advancing hydrogen, is taking place this week at Ahoy Rotterdam, running until 21 May 2026.

Nominations for the awards were reviewed and shortlisted by the World Hydrogen Advisory Board, a panel of senior leaders from across the hydrogen value chain, before being put to a public vote, which received more than 3,000 votes in total.

REFHYNE 2, a 100-megawatt proton-exchange membrane renewable hydrogen electrolyser project at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Germany, won two awards during the ceremony, taking top honours in both the Clean Hydrogen Project and Industrial Application categories. These accolades recognise the project’s significant commercial impact and technical contribution to advancing hydrogen use in refineries; a sector considered one of the lead markets for hydrogen use.

Priya Aryabhumi, Project Manager Holland Hydrogen I at Shell, took home the award for Future Hydrogen Leader, acknowledging her as a hydrogen champion with a bright future in the sector.

Recognising achievement in advancing hydrogen transportation and mobility technologies in the last 12 months, Air Products, a leading industrial gas company, collected the Hydrogen Transport award for its liquid hydrogen transport infrastructure.

The Port of Rotterdam was named the Port of the Future at the ceremony. This award acknowledges ports that have current hydrogen projects in place and made a significant contribution to the crucial role of becoming a hub for hydrogen import, distribution, bunkering and use.

The Person of the Year Award, which celebrates an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and future of the hydrogen industry, was won by Beau Broen, Project Manager Hydrogen at New Energy Coalition.  

Person of the Year, Beu Broen, Project Manager Hydrogen, New Energy Coalition, presented by Karlo van Dam, Director of Sustainable Industry, Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, Dutch Government

Valmet Automation & Nordic Ren-Gas were jointly awarded the accolade for System Innovator, which showcases companies and projects that have made positive commercial or technical contributions to integrating hydrogen across energy and infrastructure systems.

Chris Hugall, World Hydrogen Summit Event Director, said: “The World Hydrogen Awards mark the end of a busy and successful first day of the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam. Celebrating outstanding achievements and innovation from those leading the transition to a cleaner future, the awards recognise the organisations, projects and individuals who are truly making a difference in the hydrogen economy.

“We want to extend our congratulations to each of the award winners, alongside the other finalists, who have all demonstrated drive, vision and ambition for the future of our industry.”

The World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition, now in its seventh year, is organised by RX Global in partnership with the Dutch Government, the Province of Zuid-Holland, the City of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam.

More than 10,000 delegates are expected to attend across the three-day event. This year’s theme - “Climate, Energy and National Security: Stimulating Hydrogen Demand to Meet Global Priorities” - addresses one of the most critical questions now facing the sector; how to accelerate hydrogen demand at scale.

Chris continued: “The Summit has brought together governments, industry leaders, investors and innovators from across the globe to discuss how hydrogen technologies are progressing and the critical role they will play in accelerating the global energy transition, and we look forward to seeing how the conversations started here in Rotterdam will help shape hydrogen projects around the world.”

KeyFacts Energy: Hydrogen news