Austrian machine industry technology group ANDRITZ has inaugurated a new gigafactory in Erfurt, Germany, with an initial annual production capacity of about one gigawatt to cater to the rising demand for green hydrogen in Europe. The facility has been manufacturing key elements for green hydrogen production since March, such as electrolyser cell stacks and phase separators, ensuring high quality through pressure testing and quality checks. ANDRITZ CEO Dr Joachim Schönbeck emphasized the importance of the gigafactory in supporting customers in the green transition while further establishing the company as a leading provider of sustainable solutions. The gigafactory in Erfurt benefits from the company's long-standing presence in the city and the existing infrastructure, facilitating efficient production and transport of electrolysers. The electrolysers, developed in collaboration with HydrogenPro, are intended for Salzgitter AG's hydrogen plant to enable low-CO2 steel production, aligning with the company's commitment to decarbonization. Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH's CTO highlighted the significance of the partnership with ANDRITZ in achieving low-CO2 steel production. The green hydrogen products from the gigafactory are CE-certified and meet European standards. With plans to hire nearly 100 more employees, ANDRITZ is set to further bolster its workforce in Erfurt, where it already employs 350 people.