HyLab - CoLAB

What HyLab - CoLAB does

HyLab — Green Hydrogen Collaborative Laboratory (HyLab - CoLAB) is a non-profit Collaborative Laboratory (CoLAB) established in 2021 and headquartered at the Sines Living Lab and Sines Tecnopolo in Portugal. The organization is structured around four research pillars covering the full green hydrogen value chain: Hydrogen Economy (modelling and business case simulation), Production (electrolyzer optimization, novel water sources including seawater), Transport/Distribution/Storage (H2 carrier conversion to ammonia, liquid H2, and LOHCs), and End-Users (industrial, mobility, and appliance adaptation). HyLab coordinates 11 active projects funded by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), HorizonEurope, and Portugal 2030, including SinesH2GValley, H2DRIVEN (targeting 50 kt/yr e-methanol), H2 GREEN VALLEY, MOVING2NEUTRALITY, H2tALENT (29 partners across 6 countries), and H2Czero (5th-generation alkaline electrolyzer).

HyLab's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. It is owned by a consortium of 14 shareholders comprising major Portuguese energy incumbents — EDP Produção, Galp Energia, REN, Bondalti — plus CTGI (China Three Gorges International), Smart Energy (Switzerland), and nine research institutions including IN+, FEUP, INEGI, INESC TEC, ITQB NOVA, INL, CEiiA, and LNEG. Revenue mechanics are managed services-style program execution: base funding, RRP mobilizing agendas (2023-2025), HorizonEurope (2024-2029), and Portugal 2030 (2023-2026). The organization does not commercialize products; research outputs, prototypes, and intellectual property are diffused to consortium partners and through publications and technology transfer.

Go-to-market is community-led: HyLab positions itself as a nationwide reference R&D+I cluster bridging academia and industry, with the stated strategic objective of anticipating green hydrogen cost parity with fossil hydrogen by six years (2024 vs. 2030 international reference). Customer-facing segments are vertical: energy, energy-intensive industries (steel, chemicals, cement), heavy-duty transport, and end-user applications. End customers of derived green hydrogen and e-methanol outputs (e.g., SinesH2GValley, H2DRIVEN) are industrial enterprises, mobility operators, and future regional consumers in the Sines industrial cluster, with the organization itself serving as the orchestrating R&D vehicle rather than a commercial counterparty.

Name

HyLab - CoLAB

Legal name

HyLab - Green Hydrogen Collaborative Laboratory

Website

https://hylab.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HyLab is a non-profit Portuguese Collaborative Laboratory (CoLAB) advancing green hydrogen R&D across production, storage, transport, and end-use applications. It coordinates 11 active EU and nationally funded projects via a 14-member consortium of major energy companies and research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Green Hydrogen R&D

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Industrial Gas Manufacturing (325120)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility) (IMAEACAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cryogenic Liquid Hydrogen Storage for Power-to-X Hubs (LH2 Tanks, Boil-off Mgmt) (EUAFAFAG)

Keywords

• Green hydrogen research
• Hydrogen value chain
• Collaborative R&D
• Electrolyzer development
• Hydrogen storage solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Sines

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Base Funding: Base funding project providing infrastructure and scientific capabilities development for green hydrogen sector technologies
2. Portuguese RRP Funding: Funding from Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) for multiple projects including SinesH2GValley, H2DRIVEN, Moving2Neutrality, H2tALENT - covering 2023-2025 period
3. HorizonEurope Funding: European funding program supporting H2tALENT project (2024-2029) for developing integrated sustainable hydrogen ecosystem
4. Portugal 2030 Funding: National funding program supporting H2Czero project (2023-2026) for high-performance green hydrogen electrolyzer development

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

HyLab is a non-profit Collaborative Laboratory (CoLAB) conducting green hydrogen R&D across the full value chain: production, storage, transport, distribution, and end-use applications. It delivers collaborative R&D projects, electrolyzer prototype development, hydrogen economy modelling software, and end-user adaptation research. The organization operates the Sines Living Lab and does not sell commercial products; all work is delivered through publicly funded consortium projects.

Product overview

HyLab - CoLAB is a Green Hydrogen Collaborative Laboratory operating as a research and innovation consortium focused on the entire green hydrogen value chain. The organization is structured around four research pillars (Hydrogen Economy, Production, Transport/Distribution/Storage, and End-Users) and delivers multiple collaborative R&D projects including BASE FUNDING, SinesH2GValley, H2DRIVEN, H2 GREEN VALLEY, MOVING2NEUTRALITY, H2tALENT, and H2Czero. These initiatives span from fundamental research and electrolyzer development to industrial-scale green hydrogen and e-methanol production, infrastructure deployment, and end-use applications, all coordinated through the Sines Living Lab in Portugal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SinesH2GValley R&D project establishing a complete value chain for green hydrogen in Sines, Portugal, using Fusion Fuel's proprietary and patented electrolysis technology to create an innovative hub aligned with the Portuguese National Strategy for H2. Funded by Portuguese RRP (2023-2025).
• H2DRIVEN First and only Portuguese Mobilizing Alliance incorporating green hydrogen and e-methanol for industrial decarbonization and heavy mobility, targeting a 50 kilotons/year e-methanol production capacity operational from 2026. Funded by Portuguese RRP (2023-2025).
• H2 GREEN VALLEY R&D project developing hydrogen transmission, storage via line pack, compression and distribution infrastructure (H2GBackbone), including H2GBlend injection system and H2GVillage distribution network, to establish Portugal's first green H2 hub in Sines. Funded by Portuguese RRP (2023-2025).
• MOVING2NEUTRALITY R&D project developing industrial infrastructure in Sines for green hydrogen, synthetic renewable fuels, and biofuels production, supporting electrolysis, ammonia synthesis, and biomass/waste gasification technologies for carbon-neutral transportation. Funded by Portuguese RRP (2023-2025).
• H2tALENT Alentejo Green Hydrogen Valley project establishing an integrated full-chain sustainable hydrogen ecosystem with 29 partners from 6 countries, covering hydrogen production and applications across industries, transportation, and buildings. Funded by HorizonEurope (2024-2029).
• H2Czero R&D project developing a 5th-generation alkaline electrolyzer prototype with high performance, low CAPEX, and free of critical materials for green hydrogen production. Funded by Portugal 2030 (2023-2026).
• BASE FUNDING Base funding project providing infrastructure and scientific capabilities for developing green hydrogen sector technologies across the three Research and Innovation pillars of HyLab's strategy within the hydrogen value chain.

Quantifiable outcome

• Anticipate green hydrogen breakeven cost by 6 years (2024 vs 2030 international reference)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• EDP Gestão da Produção da Energia, S.A (EDP Produção)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDP Produção is the branch of EDP Group responsible for electricity generation in Portugal with approximately 900 workers and 7.1 GW installed capacity. As consortium shareholder, EDP provides expertise in electricity generation and integration of renewable energy sources for hydrogen production.
• Galp EnergiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated energy player and Portugal's only oil and natural gas integrated operator. Galp provides expertise spanning from exploration to power generation, and is currently the largest Iberian solar power player. Lead organization of Moving2Neutrality project.
• RENcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese electricity and natural gas Transmission System Operator including LNG Terminal at Sines. REN leads the H2 Green Valley project focusing on H2 transmission, storage via line pack, compression and distribution infrastructures. Key role in sector coupling of gas and electricity.
• BondalticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiggest Portuguese chemical company operating in organic and inorganic intermediates. Leads H2tALENT/H2Enable project. Holds first place in aniline sales in Europe and second position in chlor-alkali in Iberia. Uses proprietary technology in aniline production.
• CTGI (CTG Portugal)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of China Three Gorges International, owned by China Three Gorges Corporation with over 146 GW installed capacity. Hosts CTG International New Business Development & R&D Centre representing CTG's innovation efforts within HyLab.
• Smart EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2011 in Wollerau, Switzerland. Focuses on investments in renewable energy, solar, wind, green hydrogen and Power-to-Liquid projects. Committed to hydrogen and derivatives like eSAF for decarbonization.
• IN+ Centre for Innovation, Technology and Policy ResearchsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCross-disciplinary research venue at Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon. Member of associate laboratory LARSyS. Provides expertise in technology, innovation and public policies for sustainable applications.
• Faculty of Engineering (FEUP)supportingTechnology or IntegrationLargest faculty of University of Porto with about 8,299 students and 1,053 teaching staff. Extensive experience in EU funded projects including FP7 (48 projects), Horizon 2020 (32 projects). Coordinator of 8 H2020 funded projects.
• INEGIsupportingTechnology or IntegrationIndustry-oriented Research and Technology Organization with 280 employees. Covers areas including energy, new materials, and advanced production processes. Non-profit association recognized as institution of public utility.
• INESC TECsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPrivate non-profit research institution with around 1,000 researchers (340 PhD). Main activities in scientific research, technological development, technology transfer in energy, IT, robotics, and electronics.
• ITQB NOVAsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAcademic and research centre of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa with ~500 researchers. Has developed biohybrid systems for hydrogen production or oxidation based on anaerobic bacteria and isolated proteins.
• INL (International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory)supportingTechnology or IntegrationFirst intergovernmental research organization in Europe in nanoscience/nanotechnology. Has 22 pending and 7 granted patent families, over 160 FP7/H2020/national/regional funded projects.
• CEiiA (Centre of Engineering and Product Development)supportingTechnology or IntegrationCentre of Engineering with 300 Researchers and Engineers. History of engineering support for automotive and aeronautics industries from McLaren to Leonardo Helicopters. Developing mobility, ocean and Space products.
• LNEG (National Laboratory of Energy and Geology)supportingTechnology or IntegrationState Laboratory of Ministry of Environment and Climate Action. Makes sustainable RD&I for society and enterprises. Key partner for internationalization with HR Excellence in Research Logo.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ITM Power: UK-based PEM electrolyzer manufacturer and one of Europe's most-funded green hydrogen equipment companies. Comparable as a hydrogen-production technology developer targeting industrial-scale deployment across European H2 valleys.
• Sunfire: Germany-based developer of alkaline and solid-oxide electrolyzers plus Power-to-Liquid e-fuel technology. Comparable on both electrolyzer development (HyLab's H2Czero) and e-fuel/methanol pathways (HyLab's H2DRIVEN).
• Fusion Fuel: Portuguese/Spanish green hydrogen technology company whose proprietary and patented electrolysis IP is leveraged by HyLab in the SinesH2GValley project. Operates in the same Iberian green H2 space and shares a consortium relationship with HyLab.
• Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies: German company commercializing Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier technology for safe hydrogen transport and storage — directly comparable to HyLab's Pillar 3 work on ammonia, liquid H2 and LOHC carrier conversion.
• Nel ASA: Norwegian electrolyzer manufacturer with alkaline and PEM product lines serving European green hydrogen projects. Closest direct competitor on electrolyzer technology development for industrial-scale green H2 production.

Regional players

• Galp Energia: Portuguese integrated energy major and lead of the Moving2Neutrality agenda within the HyLab consortium. Comparable as an Iberian refining-to-renewables player developing green hydrogen and synthetic fuels at industrial scale in Sines.
• EDP Producao: EDP's Portuguese generation arm (7.1 GW installed capacity) and a HyLab Tier-1 consortium shareholder. Comparable as an Iberian green hydrogen producer/integrator, though operating as a utility rather than research consortium.

Broad incumbents

• Thyssenkrupp nucera: Large industrial-scale electrolyzer manufacturer and EPC contractor for green hydrogen plants. Competes with HyLab's consortium-led electrolysis development for tier-1 industrial offtake projects across Europe.
• Siemens Energy: Global energy technology incumbent offering Silyzer PEM electrolyzers and integrated hydrogen plant solutions. Comparable as a broad incumbent participating in European H2 valley programs and IPCEI projects alongside HyLab's consortium.

Others

• Instituto Superior Tecnico (IN+ Centre): University of Lisbon research center and HyLab consortium partner providing technology, innovation, and policy research expertise. Comparable as a Portuguese academic R&D partner in the green hydrogen ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hylab-colab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HyLab - CoLAB