Delphy joins China’s hydrogen momentum
A recent visit to China by Vincent Designolle, Director of Delphy, provided a clear and compelling picture: the hydrogen market is moving at remarkable speed. Projects are already in operation, many more are under construction, and ambitious developments are taking shape across several regions, particularly in the north of the country. The targets set by leading players are striking, both in terms of capacity ramp up and cost reduction.
Between exchanges with Vallourec teams on the ground, meetings with customers, and in‑depth discussions during the China International Hydrogen Congress & Expo (CIHC), this visit became a true immersion into China’s fast‑evolving hydrogen ecosystem.
“China’s hydrogen ecosystem is evolving at an impressive pace. What stands out is not only the scale of the projects, but also the speed at which they are developed and executed, “says Vincent Designolle.
Three key takeaways from China’s hydrogen ecosystem
Drawing on discussions with customers, partners and local teams, three strong signals clearly emerged.
1. Rapid technological development and short iteration cycles
China’s hydrogen ecosystem benefits from a strong command of technologies, built through rapid development and very short iteration cycles in recent years. In this context, the challenge for Delphy is clear: demonstrate how Delphy can change the game, while leveraging Vallourec’s strong industrial and commercial footprint in China.
“The level of technological maturity we see today is the result of very fast development cycles. It is now up to us to show how Delphy can truly make a difference, building on Vallourec’s strong local presence,” Vincent explains.
2. A shared and uncompromising focus on safety
Safety remains a key criterion for Chinese players, fully aligned with Vallourec’s value proposition. While advanced solutions can sometimes be challenged on their maturity, this only reinforces the importance of Delphy’s strengths: a strong safety culture combined with proven track records, including a first site in operation since 2023.
3. A strong speed‑of‑execution mindset
“Develop fast, build fast, learn fast.” This mindset – including learning through troubleshooting – is deeply embedded in China’s hydrogen market. It strongly resonates with the way Delphy has been developed, combining ambition, agility and continuous learning to accelerate the learning curve.
Engaging with customers, teams and partners on the ground
Beyond market insights, the visit was also marked by intensive on the‑ ‑ground engagement led by Vincent. The visit included meetings with Chinese customers to discuss hydrogen projects and concrete applications, a cross ‑functional training session bringing together sales, marketing and customer support teams to align global strategy with local execution, as well as participation in the China International Hydrogen Congress & Expo in Beijing. The trip concluded with a visit to Changzhou, including a plant tour, discussions with on‑site technicians and exchanges with procurement team on market outlook and domestic supply chain opportunities.
“These exchanges are essential. They help us align strategy with local execution and ensure we are fully connected to the realities of the market,” Vincent Designolle emphasizes.
These interactions helped reinforce local capabilities and supported ongoing work to adapt Delphy’s supply chain and execution model to the specific needs of the Chinese market.
China’s momentum sends a clear message: the market will not wait.
Vallourec’s strong industrial footprint in the country is a decisive asset to capture these opportunities. This visit reinforced Delphy’s ambition to move forward with the same level of speed, discipline and excellence as the market itself.
“As the hydrogen ecosystem accelerates, Delphy is well positioned to play a leading role, combining technology, safety, industrial strength and strong local engagement,” concludes Vincent.
