Events

Conference Belgian Hydrogen Expertise - Powering International Collaboration

16 november 2026, 09:00 - 17:00
Conference Belgian Hydrogen Expertise - Powering International Collaboration


The annual conference of the Belgian Hydrogen Council brings together industry leaders, policymakers, technology innovators and hydrogen regions to explore one central question: How is Belgian expertise helping shape the hydrogen economy, at home and internationally?

Maison de La Poste, Brussels, 16-11-2026

The programme will put Belgium’s hydrogen expertise, innovation and international ambitions firmly in the spotlight, showcasing the country’s strong position across the hydrogen value chain. Discover how Belgian know-how is making an impact in international projects and partnerships and creating opportunities far beyond our borders.

Cross-border cooperation will be a key theme, bringing hydrogen valleys together to exchange knowledge, share experiences and explore how stronger collaboration can accelerate hydrogen development across Europe.

The programme will also highlight innovation, showcasing promising technologies, research and new developments that could help shape the next generation of the hydrogen economy.

Furthermore, it will explore the emerging potential of naturally occurring hydrogen and the opportunities it could bring.

To close, the programme will turn to the policy landscape, looking at the strategic and political priorities shaping the future of hydrogen in Belgium and Europe and what they mean for the sector in the years ahead.

Detailed program (draft)

9.00 -9.30 : Registration and welcome coffee 

09:30 Welcome & Introduction BHC Program office Isabel François, WaterstofNet
Cédric Brüll, Cluster Tweed
09:40 Global Hydrogen Compass 2026: Deploying at scale for resilience, industrial growth, and decarbonization Özlem Duyan,
Hydrogen Council

Belgian expertise in international projects – part 1

10:00 From Green Ammonia at sea to Green Hydrogen on Rail Jan De Beurme, CMB-Tech
  Enabling the Global Hydrogen Transition: Agfa’s Zirfon International Project Footprint Jorge Thomas, Agfa
  European Support for Green Hydrogen Projects in North Africa Toon Van Ingelghem, Deme

11.00 -11.30: Coffee Break

Fireside chat

11.30 Opportunities with China for BE/EU companies active in zero-emission technology Peter Buytaert, Silk Road Partners
11.45 Why and How to build a resilient EU electrolyser Industry Alexandre Boonen, John Cockerill

Belgian hydrogen technology champions

12:00 Global status and outlook Solid Oxide technology Ted Straten, Bosal
  BE-HyStore: a pilot study on large-scale underground hydrogen storage in Loenhout, Belgium Tom Bultreys, UGent
  From materials to components: challenges and innovations for testing up to qualification in LH2 and GH2 Antoine Marcel Parthoens, Beblue-Cryotech
  eKeroBel: from CO2 and H2 to eSAF, challenges and opportunities Marijn Blommaert, Ionect

Panel discussion - Connecting hydrogen valleys to build a sustainable European hydrogen ecosystem

 12.20
  • FLHyports
  • Green WaHyve
  • LuxHyval
  • HyNorth
  • Hydrogen Valley Emsland

Adwin Martens
Cédric Brüll
Tim Husmann
René Schutte
Isaac Yombo a Mwame

13.10 -14.20 Lunch break

The white hydrogen opportunity

14:20

Reasons to support white H2 exploration

 

Frank Gérard, Cabinet Minister Crucke
14.30

BE.Hydrogen, the Belgian geoscientific exploration programme for natural hydrogen

Estelle Petitclerc Geological Survey of Belgium

Belgian expertise in international projects – Part 2

14:45

e-Methane: connecting Sweden and Belgium, strengthening Europe The Värö e-methane project

Janne Lea, TES Hydrogen & Henrik Brodin, Södra
 

A maritime green e-fuel export corridor from the port of Açu to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges

Mario Lievens, Port of Antwerp-Bruges International &
Mauro Andrade, Prumo

 

H2BE: Unlocking Belgium's Hydrogen Value Chain

Koen Vlaeminck, Engie &
Kjersti Ringen, Equinor

 

Green hydrogen: Opportunities for local value creation and economic transformation in Africa-Namibia

Sophie-Bénédicte Jacques, Enabel

Updated regional strategies

15:45 Updated hydrogen strategy Flanders Vlaams Minister-president
Matthias Diependaele

Closure & Networking

16:00 Closure- Perspectives for the future Tom Hautekiet, Chair BHC

16.15 - 17.00 Networking reception

Practical details 

When & Where?
Maison de La Poste,  Brussels
Monday, November 16th 2026


Costs?
- Participation for members of the Waterstof Industrie Cluster or Cluster Tweed is free of charge.
- Participation for non-cluster members costs: 250 € (excl. VAT).

Registration: 
Register here

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