Green hydrogen is likely to play a central role in the European Union’s (EU) energy transition due to its potential as a low-emission energy source and storage medium. To achieve a meaningful role for hydrogen in the European economy, a large scale-up of the relevant technology is required. Due to the technology’s high dependency of critical raw materials, this poses a risk of future supply chain bottlenecks that EU policymakers seeks to address. The circular economy (CE) aims to promote sustainable economic growth by reducing resource use and waste. With its focus on the principles of reuse, reduce and recycle, it is well positioned to help solve for the challenge of critical raw materials. This research aims to provide clarity on specific CE strategies applicable to fuel cell and hydrogen (FCH) technology supply chains and what drives or hinders their adoption. Using a mixed methods approach of literature and practice review and qualitative expert interviews, we define four exemplary drivers and barriers along de Jesus and Mendonca’s (2018) framework of CE drivers and barriers. In doing so, this study contributes to the better understanding of circularity strategies and their determinants in general, as well as provide practical insights for policymakers and businesses on matters of future relevance for FCH technologies specifically. Our research is ongoing to further refine and extend our results.

AXT Marie;  BALDASSARRE Brian;  KIRCHHERR Julian;  VESTERGAARD Jakob; 

2026-08-14

Aalto University

JRC132557

https://www.plateconference.org/plate-2021-conference-3/,    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375005675_Circular_economy_in_critical_value_chains_the_case_of_hydrogen_electrolysers_and_fuel_cells,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC132557,   

10.13140/RG.2.2.36270.48961 (online),