April 2, 2025, Brussels: Hintco has been named a second prize winner in the prestigious European Innovation Procurement Awards 2025, recognising its pioneering role in accelerating the market for renewable hydrogen through the H2Global mechanism.

The award was presented at the European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit in Brussels, where Hintco was honoured in the category Facing Societal Challenges – “Net Zero Industry Procurement”. The category celebrates innovative procurement practices that support the goals of the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act.

At the heart of Hintco’s winning approach is the H2Global mechanism – a first-of-its-kind double auction model that bridges the gap between clean hydrogen production and demand. By purchasing clean hydrogen and other low-emission fuels under long-term contracts and reselling them in shorter-term contracts, Hintco sends strong price signals to stimulate both supply and market formation for clean hydrogen and other low-emission fuels.

Hintco’s first pilot auction for renewable ammonia marked a major milestone. With EUR 397 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), Hintco awarded a first of its kind contract for the import and delivery of renewable ammonia from 2027 to 2033. The winning project will establish one of the world’s first green fuel trade routes, enabling European industry to decarbonise by securing access to sustainable hydrogen-based products at scale.

“This award is an important recognition of the work being done by Hintco, H2Global Foundation, and our many public and private partners to make renewable hydrogen a commercial reality,” said Timo Bollerhey, CEO of Hintco. “Innovative procurement is critical for scaling up climate solutions, and we’re proud that our model is being recognised as a template for global impact.”

Following the success of its pilot auction, Hintco is now running its second auction, backed by at least an additional EUR 2.5 billion in funding from BMWK and partly Dutch KGG with the potential to increase to close to EUR 3 billion pending final budget approvals. This second supply-side auction is organised into five lots: four product-open regional lots for the purchase of ammonia, methanol or hydrogen and one global lot for the purchase of hydrogen helping lay the foundation for a decarbonised industrial base in Europe.

This award builds on the recognition that H2Global received in 2024 from the Mission Possible Partnership, when H2Global was named as the sole Green Market Maker in existence. The accolade reflects H2Global’s unique contribution to bridging the gap between early-stage supply and demand in the hard-to-abate sectors of the green transition.