Two Dutch companies, Schiedam-based Battolyser Systems and Eindhoven’s VDL Hydrogen Systems – part of VDL Groep – have agreed to merge into a single company. The partnership will offer a fully flexible pressurised alkaline electrolyser tailored for large-scale industrial applications.
The new company will focus on developing and marketing this technology, with VDL Groep serving as the manufacturing partner. Pilot projects with industrial customers are underway, with full-scale demonstrations and commercial expansion planned.
The merger is expected to take effect in Q4 2025. Shareholders of Battolyser Systems and VDL Hydrogen Systems will provide equal funding for the merger and intend to continue supporting the company’s future development. Battolyser Systems’ major investors include Innovation Industries, Global Cleantech Capital, Invest-NL, and Koolen Industries.
Aim of the merger
Green hydrogen remains too costly for mass use, requiring innovation and scaling to drive the hydrogen economy forward. VDL Hydrogen Systems and Battolyser Systems are developing a pressurised alkaline electrolyser, combining VDL’s focus on high capacity with Battolyser’s focus on flexibility.
Their collaboration aims to deliver low-cost hydrogen at scale for industries like e-fuels, steel, and energy grids.
Unlike conventional electrolysers that require constant operation, their fully flexible system can adjust to variable renewable energy, converting excess wind power into hydrogen and pausing when supply is low, with stored or imported hydrogen ensuring continuous delivery.
Mattijs Slee, CEO of Battolyser Systems, says, “Our technologies are complementary to each other and together we can develop a better product that can be delivered at industrial scale to our customers with VDL Groep as manufacturing partner.”
Battolyser Systems mentions in a statement that the merger is seen as a “critical role” in building a European value chain to drive the energy transition and expand global exports.
Willem van der Leegte, President and CEO of VDL Groep, adds, “The combination of competences will result in a much stronger position to develop a state-of-the-art, ‘made in Europe’ electrolyser that will enable customers to produce competitive green hydrogen at a large scale. This is essential for the successful transition to a sustainable energy supply.”
Brief about VDL Groep
VDL Groep is an international industrial family business based in Brainport Eindhoven. Founded in 1953, the group consists of more than 100 specialised companies active in five key sectors: high tech, mobility, energy, infratech, and foodtech. In 2024, it recorded a turnover of €4.3B.
The group focuses on combining craftsmanship with innovation, emphasising collaboration, sustainability, and long-term impact through high-tech industrial solutions. Currently, it operates in 20 countries with over 14,000 employees.
