Hexagon Purus in Weeze: Groundbreaking ceremony for expansion of the company premises

Millions invested in the energy transition

Weeze, Germany. Investing in the location: Hexagon Purus is building a new multi-million Euro production hall at its location in Weeze. With it, the hydrogen systems specialist intends to significantly expand its production capacity. It is also expected to increase the number of employees from 240 to 350. Further investments in office and training facilities, a parking garage, and a hydrogen refueling station are planned as well. “This expansion project shows that we want to deliver on our growth strategy in order to drive the energy transition,” emphasized Michael Kleschinski, Executive Vice President of Hexagon Purus, at the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony.

The start of a multi-million Euro investment is reason enough to take a moment and celebrate with employees, neighbors, and other guests. To mark this special occasion, Member of the German Bundestag Stefan Rouenhoff, District Head Administrator Christoph Gerwers, and Mayor Georg Koenen visited the hydrogen system and high-pressure specialist company, which was founded in 1988 as Wystrach and has been part of Hexagon Purus for the past year and a half. Representing Hexagon Purus group at the event was Executive Vice President Michael Kleschinski. All four guests of honor highlighted the importance of this investment for the region and the crucial role green hydrogen plays in the energy transition and climate protection.

Three construction phases

The expansion of the company site in Weeze will be completed in three stages. The first step is a 5,000 m2 production hall scheduled to be completed in October of this year. This expansion will increase the current production area from approximately 11,000 to 16,000 m2, and will significantly increase the company’s production capacity. Beyond that, the company is planning to build social spaces for around 120 employees, as well as 30 office workstations, training and meeting rooms, and a storage area. “We’re responding to the rise in market demand,” explains Wystrach GmbH Managing Director Wolfgang Wolter. Especially in energy-intensive sectors such as steel production or the chemical industry, green hydrogen is rapidly gaining in importance. Weeze’s mayor, Georg Koenen, looks upon the development of the company with pride: “The substantial investment in the expansion of the site in Weeze underlines the attachment of Wystrach to its hometown even after the merger with Hexagon Purus. The company is a gamechanger in the energy transition and a drawing card for Weeze and the entire Lower Rhine region.”

Work on specific plans for the second construction stage will start this summer. That will likely include an office and training center with 80 office workstations and a parking garage with 160 parking spaces. In the third stage, there are plans to construct a public hydrogen refueling station. Overseeing the construction project is the architectural office Hanßen based in nearby Geldern.

Mitigating climate change

Numerous climate-conscious measures are being implemented in the new construction. A photovoltaic system will feed an air-to-air heat pump and the air-conditioning units for the office wing and the social spaces. In the production hall, the concrete ceilings and walls are to be used as energy storage by means of concrete core activation. Heat recovery from the heating infrastructure is another pillar of the concept for the production hall. “We’re also in the initial phases of drawing up a larger photovoltaic concept,” Wolter said.

Creating jobs

The investments will significantly boost the number of employees at Hexagon Purus in Weeze. At the end of 2022, the company recorded a headcount of 243. By the end of this year, that number is expected to hit 350. “In this way, we’re making it clear that we remain loyal to our home location and are offering future-proof jobs in an exciting industry,” CEO of Wystrach, Jochen Wystrach says. The company is looking for people in areas ranging from production to administration: mechanical and mechatronics engineers, MAG welders, PLC programmers, IT specialists, designers, business experts, planners, and team leaders. “We welcome all applications,” he says, “whether for a skilled position or one of our apprenticeships.” With this expanded workforce, Hexagon Purus can continue to drive the energy transition from Weeze.

Hexagon Purus

Hexagon Purus ASA is a world-leading manufacturer of zero-emission mobility and infrastructure solutions for a clean energy future. The company is a leading global supplier of Type 4 high-pressure hydrogen cylinders and systems, battery systems, and vehicle integration solutions for fuel-cell and battery-electric vehicles. Hexagon Purus products are used in a wide range of applications, including light, medium, and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, buses, ground storage, distribution, refueling, marine, rail, and aerospace.