As the chemical industry accelerates its transition to low-carbon operations, sustainable alternatives to diesel transport remain limited, especially for ADR* classified products such as caustic soda and hydrochloric acid. Thanks to new technological developments, it is now possible to use hydrogen trucks for the safe transport of essential chemicals.
In February 2026, Nobian and Vervaeke started a collaboration around a pilot with a hydrogen truck. This was needed to remove a major barrier to the deployment of emission-free trucks in ADR-classified chemical logistics. Thanks to hydrogen's long range, fast refuelling times and lower vehicle weight compared to battery electric trucks, the new hydrogen truck can safely and efficiently transport a wide range of Nobian's essential chemicals in large volumes. The pilot represents a meaningful step in reducing Nobian's transport-related carbon emissions.
Hydrogen truck
The three-year pilot will start on routes in the Rotterdam region and may be expanded as the network of hydrogen refuelling stations continues to grow. The truck is expected to drive around 100,000 kilometres per year, replacing a diesel truck and thus achieving an estimated CO₂ reduction of around 88.5 tonnes per 100,000 kilometres. By jointly developing this project, Nobian underlines its commitment to accelerate sustainable, low-emission logistics for chemical products.
Sustainability ambitions
"This hydrogen pilot fits perfectly with our sustainability ambitions and strengthens our long-standing partnership with Vervaeke," says Rein Hendriks, Director Business Planning at Nobian. "With this pilot, we show that we are taking concrete steps towards a future-proof, emission-free logistics chain. As the hydrogen infrastructure continues to grow and technology develops, we see great opportunities for hydrogen as a safe and low-emission solution for the transport of hazardous materials."
Innovation and safety
"At Vervaeke, we believe that innovation and safety should go hand in hand, especially in chemical logistics," said Frédéric Derumeaux, CEO of Vervaeke. "Our cooperation with Nobian is an important step towards cleaner and future-proof transport. Hydrogen offers clear advantages over electric trucks for long distances. This pilot shows that emission-free logistics in liquid bulk transport is not only possible, but also a realistic alternative."
Hydrogen offers clear advantages over electric trucks for long distances. This pilot shows that emission-free logistics in liquid bulk transport is not only possible, but also a realistic alternative.Frédéric Derumeaux, CEO of Vervaeke
Hydrogen truck is logical step
For Nobian, the hydrogen truck is a logical step. The company previously supported the construction of the ms Antonie**, the first barge in the Netherlands designed to enable transport on green hydrogen. The vessel is designed to transport salt without CO₂ emissions and was developed with partners including Nedstack, Lenten Scheepvaart, Concordia Damen and NPRC. Together, these projects mark important milestones in scaling up hydrogen-driven logistics and reflect Nobian's ongoing commitment to further develop low-emission transport.
Source: Nobian Photo: The first ADR-approved hydrogen truck in the Netherlands. From left to right: Rein Hendriks, Director Business Planning (Nobian), Frédéric Derumeaux CEO (VERVAEKE) and Pim Rog, Managing Director (VERVAEKE NEDERLAND).
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* ADR = Accord européen relative au transport international de marchandises Dangereuses par Route
** About ms Antonie:
On 30 March 2022, (then) Minister Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) officially opened the construction of the ms Antonie, the first hydrogen-powered electric barge in the Netherlands. The ship will transport about 3,700 tonnes of salt at a time for Nobian from Delfzijl to the Botlek plant in Rotterdam, the equivalent of 120 trucks, completely emission-free.Nobian produces green hydrogen in the Netherlands, both in Delfzijl and Rotterdam, and the project shows how this can enable lower emissions in goods transport with large inland shipping fleets. It also contributes to our Scope 3 emission reduction targets.
Its propulsion is based on Nedstack's fuel cell technology, which has been tested for many years at Nobian's production site in Delfzijl. Hydrogen is a by-product of chlorine and caustic soda production. The first of its kind, the construction of the ms Antonie focuses on safety and the deployment of the regulatory framework to enable large-scale use of green hydrogen in inland navigation.
