Hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers in 2026: overview
Hydrogen transport must balance storage density, handling and the energy required to move or release hydrogen. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) bind hydrogen to liquid compounds, which can be handled more like conventional fuels and then dehydrogenated at the destination. Recent work is targeting a central bottleneck: faster hydrogen release at lower temperatures. In September 2026, researchers reported single-atom catalysis for preferential dehydrogenation of perhydro-dibenzyltoluene and light-activated hydrogen release from dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole.
The field is moving from molecule and catalyst design toward integrated reactors, heat management and viable supply chains. Recent studies examine micro-packed-bed reactors, internal product recycling and computational screening, while also testing electrochemical hydrogenation and heat recovery. Infrastructure development continues alongside LOHC research: in May 2026, HES International and North Atlantic signed an agreement to develop an LOHC-based hydrogen import route via Wilhelmshaven. Deployment depends on linking carrier performance to practical release systems and dependable import infrastructure.
- 1Catalysts target release: Recent single-atom and light-activated catalyst studies address the high-temperature and slow-kinetics barriers that limit LOHC hydrogen release.
- 2Reactor design matters: Heat transfer, liquid flow and catalyst stability are becoming central engineering concerns as research moves from catalyst activity toward continuous dehydrogenation.
- 3Routes need integration: LOHC import plans and pipeline projects show that carrier chemistry must be matched with terminals, release plants and connected transport networks.
Top organizations working on hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Showing 7 of 3,000 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
Liquid organic carriers | PUB 1,812 · NEWS 73 | +23% | Recently, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences investigated catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of liquid organic carriers, including dibenzyltoluene-based systems, to improve hydrogen storage and release. |
| 2 | 
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research · China |
Liquid organic carriers | PAT 1 · PUB 1,066 NEWS 7 |
+10% | Recently, researchers associated with the university studied catalysts for hydrogen release from perhydro-dibenzyltoluene, alongside reviews of reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation in liquid organic carrier systems. |
| 3 | 
Xi'an Jiaotong University
Research · China |
Liquid organic carriers | PAT 2 · PUB 682 NEWS 45 |
+42% | Recently, Xi’an Jiaotong University researchers examined LOHC dehydrogenation reactor design and assessed methylcyclohexane as an onboard hydrogen carrier for heavy-duty trucks. |
| 4 | CU
China University of Petrolum
Research · China |
Liquid organic carriers | PAT 4 · PUB 536 NEWS 16 |
+22% | Recently, researchers at China University of Petroleum studied formic-acid dehydrogenation catalysts and non-noble-metal catalysts for releasing hydrogen from liquid organic carriers. |
| 5 | 
Tsinghua University
Research · China |
Liquid organic carriers | PAT 7 · PUB 684 NEWS 74 |
+7% | Tsinghua University researchers study LOHC catalyst design and reactor processes, including continuous dehydrogenation of N-ethylcarbazole and high-purity hydrogen release from the methylcyclohexane–toluene cycle. |
| 6 | 
Zhejiang University
Research · China |
Liquid organic carriers | PAT 22 · PUB 647 NEWS 28 |
+2% | Zhejiang University researchers study LOHC hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, including catalysts for releasing hydrogen from dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole. |
| 7 | 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Research · United States |
General | PUB 4 · NEWS 1,529 | -68% | |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 14 total
Hydrogenious Technologies GmbHGermanyHydrogenious Technologies develops systems that store hydrogen in liquid organic carriers, enabling transport and storage in liquid form followed by hydrogen release when needed.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 2,618 total
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences investigated catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of liquid organic carriers, including dibenzyltoluene-based systems, to improve hydrogen storage and release.
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChinaRecently, researchers associated with the university studied catalysts for hydrogen release from perhydro-dibenzyltoluene, alongside reviews of reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation in liquid organic carrier systems.
- Xi'an Jiaotong UniversityChinaRecently, Xi’an Jiaotong University researchers examined LOHC dehydrogenation reactor design and assessed methylcyclohexane as an onboard hydrogen carrier for heavy-duty trucks.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 3,000 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogen pipelines | Pipelines move hydrogen continuously through dedicated or adapted networks, but require compatible materials, safety controls and coordinated infrastructure. | 1,357 |
European Commission, China University of Petrolum, Siemens AG |
| Compressed gas logistics | Compression enables hydrogen delivery in tanks and tube trailers, but storage volume and pressure-management needs constrain logistics. | 1,380 |
European Commission, Toyota Motor Corporation, U.S. Department of Energy |
| Liquefied hydrogen | Liquefaction increases hydrogen’s volumetric density for transport, but cryogenic handling adds energy use and specialized equipment. | 2,274 |
Linde Group, Plug Power, Air Products and Chemicals Inc |
| Liquid organic carriers | LOHCs chemically bind hydrogen in liquid compounds for fuel-like handling, but hydrogenation and release require catalysts, heat and process integration. | 9,942 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Friedrich - Alexander - University, Erlangen - Nuremberg, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Ammonia carriers | Ammonia carries hydrogen in a transportable chemical form, but its use requires suitable conversion systems and careful handling. | 1,252 |
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Air Liquide, Amogy Inc. |
| Other chemical carriers | Other chemical carriers store hydrogen through reversible reactions, but each chemistry brings distinct conversion, efficiency and infrastructure demands. | 1,394 |
Friedrich - Alexander - University, Erlangen - Nuremberg, RWTH Aachen, European Food Safety Authority EFSA |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
The dataset associates $3.71 billion in grants with the topic since 2020, across 1,252 grants. It also records 28 funding rounds totaling about $25.01 billion.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Sep 2026As a liquid that is easily stored and transported, ammonia (NH3) is an attractive carrier for hydrogen, which is used in fuel cells, semiconductor manufacturing, chemical processing, and other applications. However…MIT News
- Aug 2026You’ve made the hydrogen and it seems the hard part is over. It’s actually just beginning. It’s the smallest molecule in the universe, and that single fact turns storing and moving it into one of engineering’s most…Energy on Medium
- Jul 2026How biocatalysis could improve LOHC technology Advertisement In a review article accepted for publication in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, titled , Dr. Michael Geißelbrecht, Hannes Mandon, Prof.…chemeurope.com
- Jul 2026Hydrogen production is expanding across the globe, but hydrogen gas remains difficult and costly to store and transport, restricting its broader use. A pilot project in Germany is demonstrating for the first time a…Chemical Engineering
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers
What companies are working on hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers?
Hydrogenious Technologies, BASF, Linde Group, Air Liquide and Plug Power are among the companies associated with this field. Hydrogenious Technologies develops systems that store hydrogen in liquid organic carriers for transport and release. The dataset also associates Linde Group, Air Liquide and Plug Power with liquefied hydrogen logistics, while BASF appears among the leading organizations in the broader topic.
Which hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers startups are active in 2026?
Hydrogenious Technologies GmbH is the startup specifically identified for liquid organic carriers. It develops systems that store hydrogen in liquid form for transport and storage, then release it when needed. The available startup data identifies this company but does not provide enough evidence to rank startups by performance or commercial potential.
Which universities and research centers lead hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers research?
The Chinese Academy of Sciences, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Xi'an Jiaotong University are leading research organizations in the dataset. Recent work also involves Jülich Research Center, Friedrich-Alexander University and Tsinghua University. Their research includes carrier catalysts, hydrogen release, reactor design, heat transfer and the methylcyclohexane–toluene system.
How much funding has hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers received?
The dataset records $3.71 billion in grants since 2020 across 1,252 grants, plus 28 funding rounds totaling about $25.01 billion. These are topic-level figures, and the recorded funding rounds may not all be specific to hydrogen transport or LOHC projects. Treat them as an indication of associated funding activity rather than a verified total for dedicated projects.
Who holds the most hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers patents?
Samsung leads the listed patent holders with 157 patents, followed by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd with 82 and LG Corp with 70. Sinopec has 63, while Solus Advanced Materials Co. has 41. These figures reflect the dataset’s patent-holder associations for the topic and do not establish that every patent concerns LOHC technology specifically.
Is hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers patent activity growing?
Patent activity declined 45.6% in the latest 12 months compared with the previous 12 months, while the dataset records 7,517 patents within its 24-month window. Publication activity moved in the opposite direction: 26,944 publications appeared in the latest year, up 9.0%. The contrasting trend suggests continued research activity alongside a downturn in patent filings.
What are the latest developments in hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers?
September 2026 studies reported single-atom catalysis for perhydro-dibenzyltoluene dehydrogenation and light-activated hydrogen release from dodecahydro-N-ethylcarbazole. Other recent work explores micro-packed-bed reactor optimization, catalyst screening and internal product recycling. In May 2026, HES International and North Atlantic agreed to develop an LOHC-based hydrogen import route via Wilhelmshaven.
What are the main approaches in hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers?
The main approaches are hydrogen pipelines, compressed gas logistics, liquefied hydrogen, liquid organic carriers, ammonia carriers and other chemical carriers. Pipelines provide network transport; compressed gas and liquefied hydrogen use different physical storage conditions. LOHCs and other chemical carriers bind hydrogen chemically and require conversion to release it. Each approach trades off handling, infrastructure needs and conversion requirements.
What are the applications of hydrogen transport and liquid organic hydrogen carriers?
The listed applications include power and grid balancing, industrial supply, mobility and refueling, international imports and trade, and distributed or remote supply. Power and grid balancing has the largest associated document count, with 20,929 documents. Industrial supply is another substantial application, with 3,562 documents. These categories describe potential roles for hydrogen logistics, not confirmed deployments.