IIT Hydrogen

What IIT Hydrogen does

IIT Hydrogen Srl is a Bolzano-based operator of green hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure, founded in 2012 as Institut für Innovative Technologien and rebranded to its current name in 2024. The company owns and operates Italy's first hydrogen production plant at Bolzano Sud, which has run continuously since 2014 and produces up to 180 Nm³/hour of RFNBO-certified green hydrogen through three modular electrolyzers powered by renewable energy. Compressed and stored hydrogen is dispensed at multiple pressure levels (350 bar for buses and heavy vehicles, 700 bar for cars and vans) with capacity to refuel up to 70 cars and 15 buses per day, supplemented by trailer distribution to off-site stations. The January 2026 inauguration of the Brunico Green Station, a €12.6M PNRR-funded facility delivering up to 800 kg/day of hydrogen alongside 400 kW EV chargers, materially expanded the operating footprint, and the July 2025 Hydrogen Adige Valley project added a 4 MW solar-powered plant producing ~1,700 kg/day.

The business operates two complementary revenue streams: managed production and refueling services at directly owned assets, and full-lifecycle engineering services spanning feasibility studies, tender preparation, detailed design, procurement support, construction supervision, and multi-year O&M mandates. Customer segments include public transport operators (SASA), regional energy companies (Alperia), logistics operators (Gruber Logistics, Scania via ZEFES), automotive OEMs (Hyundai), and industrial users exploring hydrogen integration (Kofler Rech AG). The company goes to market through enterprise field sales for direct infrastructure deals, channel partnerships with Arcadis and GAe Engineering for turnkey delivery, event presence at Hydrogen Expo, and community-led ecosystem building through EU research consortia (HyFIVE, EMPOWER, LIFEalps, ZEFES) and the Hydrogen Valley initiative.

Ownership is held through a strategic partnership between Alperia (South Tyrol energy utility) and Autostrada del Brennero A22 (Brenner corridor toll operator), both of whom have equity stakes and serve as anchor customers and infrastructure counterparts. The company employs nine people, holds ISO 9001 certification from Bureau Veritas, and is led by CEO Claudio Vitalini, who sits on the board of H2IT, the Italian hydrogen industry association. The operating geography is concentrated in South Tyrol and broader Italy, with national-scale ambitions evidenced by the 2025 Arcadis partnership targeting Hydrogen Valley replication in projects such as Villadossola.

Name

IIT Hydrogen

Legal name

IIT Hydrogen Srl

Website

https://iithydrogen.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Green Hydrogen Infrastructure

NAICS

Industrial Gas Manufacturing (32512)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility) (IMAEACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydrogen Energy Storage & Power-to-X Equipment (electrolyzers, storage, fuel cell systems) (IMAGAHAM), Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC), Hydrogen Distribution Pipelines (Local/Regional Networks) (TLAGAGAB), Hydrogen Storage Terminals, Depots & Bulk Logistics (Siting, Loading/Unloading) (EUAFAEAI)

Keywords

• Green hydrogen production
• Hydrogen refueling stations
• Electrolyzer systems
• Hydrogen mobility infrastructure
• RFNBO hydrogen fuel

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolzano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hydrogen Production and Distribution Services: IIT Hydrogen operates hydrogen production plants and refueling stations, producing and distributing green hydrogen for transportation. They manage the complete lifecycle from design through commissioning and ongoing maintenance.
2. Engineering and Project Management: Full-service engineering support including project management, tendering/procurement support, detailed engineering, construction coordination, and operation & maintenance services for hydrogen infrastructure.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IIT Hydrogen produces and distributes RFNBO-certified green hydrogen through its own production plants and refueling stations, while providing end-to-end engineering, construction, commissioning, and operation & maintenance services for hydrogen infrastructure projects. The company's core offerings are built around water electrolysis powered by renewable energy, with operational assets including the Bolzano Hydrogen Production Plant and the Brunico Green Hydrogen Refueling Station.

Product overview

IIT Hydrogen operates as a green hydrogen infrastructure company offering an integrated portfolio centered on hydrogen production plants and refueling stations. Its core products are the Bolzano Hydrogen Production Plant (Italy's first, operational since 2014, with 180 Nm³/hour electrolyzer capacity for car and bus refueling) and the Brunico Green Hydrogen Refueling Station (Italy's first integrated hydrogen+electric station, operational since January 2026, with up to 800 kg/day hydrogen capacity). The company surrounds these physical assets with a comprehensive engineering and design service covering project management, tenders and public funding applications, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and operation and maintenance — enabling it to accompany clients from initial project conception through commissioning and long-term plant management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bolzano Hydrogen Production Plant Italy's first hydrogen production plant, located at Bolzano Sud. Produces green hydrogen via three modular electrolyzers with up to 180 Nm³/hour capacity. Compresses and stores hydrogen for distribution to refueling vehicles, capable of refueling up to 70 cars (~500 km range) and up to 15 buses (200-250 km range) daily. Designed in collaboration with Autostrada del Brennero and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano with European Regional Development Fund support.
• Brunico Green Hydrogen Refueling Station Italy's first integrated green refueling station, located along the Val Pusteria state road. Designed, built, and operated by IIT Hydrogen. Capacity up to 800 kg/day of hydrogen. Equipped with two 350-bar dispensers for buses and heavy vehicles, one 700-bar dispenser for cars/minibuses/vans, and two 400 kW high-power electric charging stations. Hydrogen is supplied by trailer from the Bolzano plant.
• Engineering and Design Services for Hydrogen Infrastructure Full-service engineering offering for green hydrogen plants, covering project management, tenders and funding applications (national/EU), detailed engineering, procurement, construction supervision, commissioning, and long-term operation and maintenance. Supports clients from concept through long-term plant management, including feasibility studies for industrial hydrogen integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000,000 emissions-free kilometers achieved in 2017
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SASA S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Local public transport company in South Tyrol. Promoter of the Hydrogen Adige Valley project and beneficiary of hydrogen infrastructure. IIT Hydrogen provides engineering services and manages hydrogen plants for powering SASA's zero-emission bus fleet.
• StrabagmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Construction partner in the Hydrogen Adige Valley project. Worked with IIT Hydrogen on an integrated contract for the detailed design and construction of hydrogen infrastructure.
• ArcadismajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025World leader in environmental and engineering consulting. Strategic partnership formed to drive green hydrogen development in Italy, focusing on sustainability, safety, and cutting-edge infrastructure. Partnership example: Hydrogen Valley in Villadossola (PNRR-funded).
• GAe EngineeringmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Benchmark in Italy for fire protection design and industrial safety. Strategic partnership leverages advanced technologies such as fluid dynamics modelling and tailored prevention strategies to ensure safe and efficient hydrogen projects.
• AlperiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Key shareholder and strategic partner in hydrogen projects. Alperia is an energy company in South Tyrol that promotes sustainable mobility initiatives. Jointly developing hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure including the Hydrogen Adige Valley project and Brunico green station.
• Autostrada del Brennero A22 SpAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Long-standing strategic partner in hydrogen mobility development. Collaborated with IIT Hydrogen on the Bolzano hydrogen production plant, the first of its kind in Italy. Autostrada del Brennero holds stakes in IIT Hydrogen and the companies work together on hydrogen corridor development along the Brenner route.
• Eurac ResearchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute collaborating on the LIFEalps project and SSPCR conference organization. Provides scientific expertise and institutional coordination for zero-emission mobility initiatives in the Alpine region.
• NOI TechparkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology park in Bolzano hosting the EMPOWER project General Assembly. Collaboration platform for research and development of zero-emission heavy-duty transport technologies.
• Politecnico di TorinomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university hosting EMPOWER project General Assembly in Turin. Partner in European research on electric and fuel cell heavy-duty vehicles for decarbonization of transport.
• NeogyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the LIFEalps project, presenting developments in electric mobility solutions.
• VEKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the LIFEalps project, contributing to zero-emission mobility developments in the Alpine region.
• Green Energy Center EuropemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership celebrating ten-year anniversary. IIT Hydrogen hosted an international delegation including Green Energy Center Europe for discussions on hydrogen mobility future along the Brenner Corridor.
• Kofler Rech AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial company for which IIT Hydrogen developed a feasibility study on green hydrogen integration. Project received Italian Hydrogen Technology Award 2026 in Industrial Sector category.
• H2ITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian trade association representing the green hydrogen industry. CEO Claudio Vitalini elected to the board of directors, establishing IIT Hydrogen as a national benchmark for hydrogen sector development.
• HydroalpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Hydrogen Adige Valley project, contributing to the development of the green hydrogen production facility.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ITM Power: UK-listed PEM electrolyzer manufacturer with European refueling and industrial hydrogen projects. ITM Power is a broad incumbent peer because it supplies the same PEM electrolyzer technology category IIT Hydrogen deploys, while also offering refueling station solutions across multiple European geographies.
• Snam: Italian gas transmission system operator that is repurposing pipeline infrastructure for hydrogen blending and pure hydrogen transport. Snam is a broad incumbent because it addresses hydrogen distribution at network scale, complementing IIT Hydrogen's production/refueling focus rather than directly competing on production assets.
• Enel Green Power: Italian renewable energy utility developing green hydrogen projects that pair renewable generation with electrolyzer capacity. Enel is comparable because both companies use renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen, but Enel is a broad incumbent spanning generation, retail and hydrogen, whereas IIT Hydrogen is a focused infrastructure specialist.
• Edison: Italian energy company developing green hydrogen projects and refueling infrastructure. Edison is comparable to IIT Hydrogen as a domestic hydrogen ecosystem participant targeting industrial and mobility customers, but operates as a broad energy incumbent rather than a focused green H2 specialist.
• Nel ASA: Norwegian electrolyzer manufacturer supplying alkaline and PEM systems globally for mobility and industrial applications. Nel is a broad incumbent peer to IIT Hydrogen's electrolyzer operations because both center on water electrolysis, but Nel is a global equipment vendor rather than a regional operator.
• Air Liquide Italia: Italian arm of the global industrial gas major, with established hydrogen production, pipeline supply and mobility refueling infrastructure. Comparable to IIT Hydrogen because both target industrial and mobility hydrogen customers in Italy, though Air Liquide operates at much greater scale and with broader gas portfolios.

Direct peers

• SAPIO: Italian industrial gas major producing and distributing hydrogen and other gases with national coverage. SAPIO is one of the closest Italian comps to IIT Hydrogen because both operate green hydrogen production, distribution and refueling infrastructure inside Italy, serving public transport, mobility, and industrial customers.
• McPhy Energy: French electrolyzer manufacturer and hydrogen refueling station provider with deployments across Europe. McPhy is comparable to IIT Hydrogen because both deliver modular electrolyzer technology and turnkey refueling stations to mobility and industrial customers, though McPhy is equipment-led rather than an operator.
• SOL Group: Italian industrial and medical gas producer with hydrogen production, distribution and refueling activities across Italy and Europe. SOL competes with IIT Hydrogen in the same domestic green hydrogen production and refueling market, particularly for mobility and industrial off-takers.

Regional players

• H2 Energy: Swiss-based green hydrogen company building refueling networks and production along Alpine corridors, including cross-border Brenner region activity. H2 Energy is a regional peer because it shares the same Brenner/Alpine mobility corridor use case and produces/distributes green hydrogen, but is headquartered in Switzerland rather than Italy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/h2southtyrol
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iit-h2-bolzano

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 IIT Hydrogen