COP30 AMAZONIA BELÉM BRAZIL 2025 SERIES: NEUMAN & ESSER - Supporting Sustainable Hydrogen Economy in Vietnam
Ngô Khuyến, Journalist, Vietnam Business Forum
November 7 2025
Dr. Stephanie Peters
With nearly two centuries of experience in hydrogen compression, Neuman & Esser (NEA Group) is applying its global hydrogen expertise to promote technology transfer, strengthen local partnerships, and support policy dialogue. In an interview with Vietnam Business Forum, Dr. Stefanie Peters, Managing Partner and CEO of NEA Group, reaffirmed the company’s strong commitment to supporting Vietnam’s clean energy transition.
We provide production systems such as PEM electrolysers and steam reformers. With these key technologies for future demands of clean energy, we can drive the energy transition. In large-scale green hydrogen projects, such as the 320 MW PEM electrolyzer in Emden, Germany, we contribute to national and European hydrogen strategies.
With a company history spanning nearly 200 years and more than 100 years of experience in hydrogen compression, we support our customers with integrated solutions across the entire hydrogen value chain. When it comes to bringing challenging projects to life, we serve as the trusted advisor. We offer comprehensive support throughout the entire project lifecycle, starting from the assessment of potential risks and the feasibility as well as financing. Our expertise extends through engineering, construction, and commissioning to the trading of the gases produced.
As reliability and availability are fundamental pillars in establishing and maintaining long-term relationships, we offer our digitally supported 360° service throughout the operation.
What is the importance of your 5MW hydrogen project in Brazil, and what key messages will the company highlight at COP30?
We are currently in the manufacturing and delivery phase for the commissioning of the first 5MW PEM electrolysis plant supplied by Neuman & Esser in Brazil. This plant will be the largest operational PEM electrolysis system in the country.
This 5MW project holds strategic significance in terms of hydrogen application: the green hydrogen produced will serve as the primary vector for decarbonizing a major player in the steel industry. We are eager to demonstrate to the Brazilian market the full potential of green hydrogen in driving impactful decarbonization results - even in traditionally hard-to-abate sectors such as steelmaking.
Brazil is positioning itself as a key global player in the production of low-carbon hydrogen, driven by its predominantly renewable (>85%) and low-cost electricity matrix. This competitive advantage enables the large-scale production of green hydrogen via electrolysis, a technology the country has developed domestically.
Moreover, Brazil's National Hydrogen Program (PNH2), issued by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE), outlines key strategic pillars for market development. It includes regulatory frameworks, international cooperation, technological innovation, and workforce development. Neuman & Esser is directly involved in these efforts, representing the industrial sector in discussions with government bodies and actively fostering connections between Brazilian and German hydrogen initiatives and partners. These priorities are fully aligned with our ongoing growth strategy, including the development of our newly expanded manufacturing facility, which will play a pivotal role in supporting the growth of Brazil’s emerging hydrogen economy.
Neuman & Esser is also contributing to hydrogen projects in other strategic Latin American markets, such as the ENAP project in Chile, further strengthening our regional presence and technical leadership. The ENAP project is another strong example of hydrogen’s potential in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries. The primary use of the green hydrogen produced in this initiative is its injection into natural gas furnaces - a process that has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions with relatively small amounts of hydrogen.
What are Vietnam’s advantages and challenges in developing its hydrogen value chain, and what cooperation opportunities does NEA see with local partners and policymakers?
Based on the global experience of Neuman & Esser in hydrogen technologies and energy system integration, Vietnam offers a highly promising environment for the development of a new hydrogen economy. The country’s abundant renewable energy resources, especially solar and offshore wind, provide a strong foundation for large-scale green hydrogen production. In addition, Vietnam’s growing industrial base and export-oriented economy create demand-side opportunities for hydrogen in sectors such as steel, chemicals, and transport.
However, Vietnam also faces several challenges along the hydrogen value chain. These include limited infrastructure for hydrogen transport and storage, a lack of technical standards and certification systems, and the need for skilled labor and institutional capacity. Furthermore, financing mechanisms for large-scale hydrogen projects are still underdeveloped, which can slow down implementation.
To address these challenges and unlock Vietnam’s full potential, we see strategic cooperation opportunities in different areas. Technology partnerships are one option. Neuman & Esser can work with Vietnamese companies on delivering hydrogen compression systems, electrolyzer integration, and plant engineering solutions tailored to regional needs. With joint pilot projects these partnerships can be determined. Demonstration plants in industrial zones or renewable energy clusters can showcase the feasibility of green hydrogen applications and build confidence among stakeholders.
Policy dialogue and advisory is another high potential area. We are ready to support Vietnamese policymakers in developing technical standards, safety regulations, and certification frameworks based on international best practices. Through partnerships with universities and vocational institutions, we can contribute to workforce development and knowledge transfer in hydrogen system design, operation, and maintenance.
Dr. Peters and her NEA's delegation at a working session with leader of PetroVietnam in July 2024
and a meeting with the Chair of Economic Committee of Vietnam National Assemly, July 2024
What are NEA’s priorities and goals for its partnership and development in Vietnam over the next 5–10 years, and what key projects or programs are planned?
Neuman & Esser is setting a clear and ambitious development agenda for Vietnam over the next five to ten years, with a strong focus on hydrogen technology, energy infrastructure, and strategic partnerships. There are different priorities, objectives, and programs Neuman & Esser is pursuing in Vietnam.
Our long-standing presence in Vietnam - spanning 18 years - has evolved from serving the refinery and chemical sectors to entering the LNG terminal business and now expanding into hydrogen generation and compression. We will open a new office in Ho Chi Minh City which marks a significant milestone in deepening local engagement this year. The establishing of a hydrogen ecosystem is one of our key priorities. In this regard we signed an MoU with the Vietnam Institute for Development Strategies (IDS) to develop the hydrogen industry. It includes the research on legal frameworks and market mechanisms, the investment in manufacturing plants and the technology transfer to Vietnamese partners.
We also plan to invest in production facilities in southern Vietnam, leveraging proximity to renewable energy sources to support local production and infrastructure development. Focus areas of these enhancements are PEM electrolyzers, hydrogen compressors and integrated hydrogen systems for industrial use.
Partnerships with key Vietnamese entities are important enabler of these objectives. We are actively engaging with PetroVietnam (PVN), Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Vietnam National Chemical Corporation (VINACHEM) to support the hydrogen integration into the oil & gas, power, and chemical sectors. Moreover, we are collaborating with the European Union in the Vietnam-Germany Hydrogen Workshop. The main objectives of these partnerships are the building of a hydrogen infrastructure, the promotion of cross-border cooperation and the support of Vietnam’s National Hydrogen Plan and PDP VIII goals. And we also provide partnerships with companies in Vung Tau, a strategic location for energy and LNG infrastructure. These partnerships are expected to evolve into hydrogen pilot projects and technology deployments.
In addition to this, we are working in other programs and focus areas. Neuman & Esser is a contributor to the Green Hydrogen Hub initiative led by GIZ and AHK, based at the Vietnamese-German University. This hub will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building and business cooperation. We participated in the German Training Week on Green Hydrogen 2025, presenting our technologies and engaging in project ideation with Vietnamese stakeholders. We also showcased our compressor and hydrogen system integration capabilities during workshops and webinars.
Thank you very much!
