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 status hydrogen Özlem Duyan,
Hydrogen Council

Belgian expertise in international projects – part 1

10:00 CMB-Tech: Ammonia ships & activities Namibia Jan De Beurme
  Agfa: International Developments Speaker tbc
  Deme: Projects in Middle East & North Africa Speaker tbc
  John Cockerill: Projects in India & Netherlands Stéphane Putzeys

11.00 -11.35: Coffee Break

Fireside chat

11.35 The Chinese innovation system, opportunities for BE/EU companies  Speaker tbc, Flanders' China Chamber of Commerce

Belgian hydrogen technology champions

11:50 Bosal - Heat exchangers for electrolysers & fuel cells Ted Straten
  UGent - BE-HyStore project storage H2 Loenhout Tom Bultreys
  Beblue - Liquid hydrogen testing Jerome Dagruma
  Ionect - e-fuels/e-kerosine Marijn Blommaert

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

13.00 -14.15 Lunch break

The white hydrogen opportunity

14:15 Reason to believe and support of the BE government Frank Gérard, Cabinet Minister Crucke
14.25

Research at Geological Survey of Belgium

Estelle Petitclerc

Belgian expertise in international projects – Part 2

14:40 TES Hydrogen: projects Scandinavia Janne Lea & Henrik Brodin
  PoABi: projects in Brazil, Namibia and Oman Mario Lievens & Mauro Andrade
  Engie-Equinor - H2BE project Koen Vlaeminck & Kjersti Ringen
  Enabel: education project in Namibia Sophie-Bénédicte Jacques

Updated regional strategies

15:25 Competitiveness Belgian and EU technology sector- impact Industrial Accelerator Act Speaker tbd, John Cockerill
15:40 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