Symbio s’impose comme le premier fabricant européen de systèmes à pile à combustible hydrogène. Spécialisée dans les solutions zéro émission pour la mobilité et l’industrie, l’entreprise, coentreprise de Michelin et Forvia, exploite à Saint-Fons la plus grande gigafactory de piles à combustible en France. Ce site industriel de référence constitue un pilier de la stratégie hydrogène de la région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Dans un secteur encore marqué par des effets d’annonce, Symbio se distingue par une production déjà déployée à grande échelle, avec des exigences industrielles élevées, notamment en matière de fiabilité et de continuité d’approvisionnement.

Le défi : accompagner une montée en cadence industrielle exigeante

Dans le cadre de l’accélération de sa production, Symbio devait sécuriser un approvisionnement en hydrogène renouvelable à la fois fiable, flexible et immédiatement disponible, en attendant la mise en service de ses propres capacités de production.

Le choix de 91Ó°ÊÓ répond à une logique de cohérence stratégique : produire des solutions zéro émission avec un hydrogène lui-même renouvelable. Un enjeu clé pour garantir l’intégrité environnementale de toute la chaîne de valeur.

La solution 91Ó°ÊÓ : flexibilité et continuité au service de l’industrie

91Ó°ÊÓ fournit à Symbio de l’hydrogène renouvelable depuis ses sites de production, dans le cadre d’un dispositif structuré en deux temps :

• Phase 1 (janvier – juin) : approvisionnement principal pour soutenir la montée en cadence de la gigafactory
• Phase 2 (juillet – décembre) : accompagnement de la transition vers les capacités de production propres de Symbio

Ce modèle démontre la capacité de 91Ó°ÊÓ Ã  s’adapter aux besoins évolutifs d’un industriel, en garantissant une continuité d’approvisionnement et une grande réactivité opérationnelle.

Un projet au cœur d’un écosystème régional structuré

Ce partenariat s’inscrit dans un écosystème hydrogène particulièrement dynamique en Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, région pionnière en France. 91Ó°ÊÓ y joue un rôle clé, en lien avec des acteurs structurants comme Hympulsion.

Ensemble, ces initiatives contribuent à bâtir une chaîne de valeur territoriale cohérente, au service d’une transition énergétique concrète et ancrée localement.

Résultats clés

• Environ 200 tonnes de COâ‚‚ évitées sur une année
• 1 gigafactory alimentée en hydrogène renouvelable
• Continuité d’approvisionnement assurée durant toute la montée en puissance industrielle
• Flexibilité démontrée dans l’adaptation des volumes aux besoins de production

Ce que ce projet révèle de 91Ó°ÊÓ

Collaborer avec Symbio implique de répondre aux standards les plus exigeants de l’industrie. Ce partenariat illustre la capacité de 91Ó°ÊÓ Ã  opérer dans des environnements industriels critiques, avec un haut niveau de fiabilité et de performance.

C’est également un signal fort pour le marché : être choisi pour alimenter la plus grande gigafactory française de piles à combustible confirme la crédibilité de 91Ó°ÊÓ en tant que fournisseur d’hydrogène renouvelable à l’échelle industrielle.

Bénéfices clés

• Cohérence totale : hydrogène renouvelable pour des solutions zéro émission
• Approvisionnement flexible, adapté à une montée en cadence industrielle
• Sécurisation de la continuité d’activité
• Contribution à la stratégie hydrogène régionale
• Réduction significative des émissions de COâ‚‚

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To better understand these solutions, we spoke to Nicolas Jensen, who leads ’s development in Southern Europe and North America, as well as the company’s institutional relations.

Enosis: converting COâ‚‚ and hydrogen into renewable gas

Enosis is both an equipment manufacturer and a developer of e-methane production projects based on a technology known as biological methanation.

The principle: combining COâ‚‚ or biogas on one side and hydrogen on the other. The process: biological methanation. Through the action of bacteria, this mixture is converted into e-methane, a synthetic gas capable of replacing fossil natural gas without requiring any changes to existing transport and distribution infrastructure. When the COâ‚‚ is biogenic and the hydrogen is renewable or low-carbon, the gas produced is renewable or low-carbon.

When the methanation units and the electrolysers used for hydrogen production are integrated on the same site, these are referred to as ‘Power-to-Methane’ facilities.

When coupled with anaerobic digestion sites, Power-to-Methane facilities enable the CO2 that these sites release into the air to be utilised and, without increasing the size of the sites, boost their production of renewable methane, which can thus be almost doubled. In doing so, the integration of the anaerobic digestion and Power-to-Methane sectors addresses the challenges of the National Low-Carbon Strategy regarding the responsible use of biomass for energy purposes.

For players in the energy and industrial sectors who currently use natural gas, this means one crucial thing: having access to renewable or low-carbon gas that is compatible with existing infrastructure and can therefore be used without the need for further investment in their current facilities.

Why are hydrogen and renewable or low-carbon methane key drivers of decarbonisation?

Hydrogen and renewable or low-carbon methane are essential energy carriers for supporting the decarbonisation of our societies, particularly for decarbonising applications that cannot be easily electrified. They play a key role where energy requirements are high and continuous, or where high energy density or very high temperatures are required.

This is particularly the case in energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking, heavy land and sea transport, as well as certain applications requiring gaseous or liquid fuels. In these sectors, solutions that are easy to implement are the most urgent, as alternatives based solely on electricity often remain limited.

Whilst the planning, construction, adaptation and interconnection of hydrogen transport and distribution networks is a long-term process, the production of renewable or low-carbon e-methane complements hydrogen production and enables hydrogen to be made immediately compatible with the existing gas network, for industrial uses or heavy-duty transport.

A concrete Enosis project: ¶Ùé²Ô´Ç²ú¾±´Ç, an industrial demonstration plant, where 91Ó°ÊÓ supplies the hydrogen

is the first industrial-scale facility designed and operated by Enosis. Located in Lesquielles-Saint-Germain, in the Hauts-de-France region, ¶Ùé²Ô´Ç²ú¾±´Ç is integrated into an agricultural anaerobic digestion plant, Energia Thiérache.

¶Ùé²Ô´Ç²ú¾±´Ç consists in particular of a biological methanation unit that processes either the COâ‚‚ emitted by the methanation site or, directly, the biogas produced by the site. The hydrogen required for the process is supplied by 91Ó°ÊÓ, which delivers it by lorry. The gas produced by ¶Ùé²Ô´Ç²ú¾±´Ç—either e-methane or a mixture of e-methane and biomethane—is then injected directly into the natural gas network operated by GRDF. Since commissioning in April 2025, nearly 300 MWh of gas has been injected in this way.

¶Ùé²Ô´Ç²ú¾±´Ç demonstrates that it is possible to:

• produce e-methane that can be injected immediately and stored in the natural gas network.
• decarbonise gas applications without modifying downstream industrial equipment and processes.
• Develop new business models that utilise biogenic COâ‚‚ produced by agricultural anaerobic digestion plants, as well as by wastewater treatment plants.

The challenges

Meeting European demand, which already exists and is becoming more established.

On the one hand, the renewable methane market is becoming Europeanised, and certain players are beginning to diversify their supply of renewable methane, whilst biomethane production alone appears unlikely to be sufficient to meet growing demand.

On the other hand, regulatory frameworks tailored to consumption are being developed, with mechanisms that may vary from one European country to another. These mechanisms, based for example on European regulations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) or the FuelEU Maritime Regulation aimed at decarbonising transport and industry, incorporate blending obligations backed by penalties in the event of non-compliance, and/or incentive schemes through the introduction of multipliers. In France, the IRICC mechanism (Incentive to Reduce the Carbon Intensity of Fuels) could draw inspiration from this (discussions led by the public authorities are currently underway).

In Europe, certain countries are also emerging as more conducive to e-methane production. These are the countries where the conditions for producing renewable or low-carbon hydrogen, driven by regulation, are most easily met, with the potential to optimise the costs of electrolysers, particularly their electricity supply.

What will the sector look like in 5 to 10 years’ time?

Recent geopolitical events are shaping a new world, where multilateralism is giving way to conflicts that are disrupting supply chains, particularly those for gas. In this context, despite the growth in electricity consumption, gas remains a strategic asset and ensuring its long-term supply is key. Developing biomethane and e-methane production sectors within our regions – which are key to energy independence – is therefore just as important.
Added to this are climate challenges… which must not be forgotten. Hydrogen and renewable e-methane molecules are capable of playing a central role in achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. By 2030, they can already contribute to this in industry, heavy-duty transport and the production of alternative fuels and gases. Furthermore, the Power-to-Methane sector, by linking the hydrogen and biogas sectors through local, circular and scalable solutions, enables the utilisation of surplus electricity as well as CO2 that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere.

Why does this matter to you?

For manufacturers, energy companies, farmers, transport operators and local authorities, these solutions represent much more than just a technological innovation. They offer a realistic way to reinvent their business models, reduce COâ‚‚ emissions, meet regulatory requirements and prepare for the future of energy without having to wait for a complete overhaul of the infrastructure.

Renewable hydrogen and e-methane are no longer distant promises: today, they are concrete energy sources for decarbonising even the most complex applications.

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ISO 9001 certification is an international quality management standard that attests to an organisation’s ability to provide services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. It is based on a process-based approach and a culture of continuous improvement to enhance the company’s overall performance. This global recognition ensures that the organisation has a firm grasp of its working methods whilst placing customer satisfaction at the heart of its priorities. By certifying its sites, an organisation demonstrates its operational reliability and its ability to thrive in a demanding industrial environment.

ISO 9001: A mark of trust and continuous improvement

Certified since 5 April 2023 by the certification body Bureau Veritas, 91Ó°ÊÓ is committed to transparency. The ISO 9001 standard reinforces its corporate culture through fundamental pillars:

• Optimised management to ensure the safety of production operations.
• Reliable and consistent services, tailored to the challenges of the energy transition.
• Analysis and development to anticipate the needs of the hydrogen market.

A certified scope supporting RFNBO compliance

The ISO 9001 certification awarded to 91Ó°ÊÓ covers the entire industrial cycle, including development, design, construction engineering, as well as the production and delivery of renewable hydrogen. This accreditation applies to 91Ó°ÊÓ SA for cross-functional roles, as well as to the production sites in Bouin, Buléon and Bessières.

This rigorous quality approach serves as a stepping stone towards obtaining RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) certification. Essential under the European RED II directive, RFNBO certification officially attests to the renewable nature of the hydrogen produced. Building on ISO 9001, 91Ó°ÊÓ guarantees:

• Proof of the origin of the green electricity used,
• A management system capable of meeting the temporal and geographical correlation criteria required by the European Union,
• The assurance for our customers that they are using fuel that complies with the strictest decarbonisation standards.

Transparency and international traceability

In line with our values, 91Ó°ÊÓ is officially listed on the international search engine IAF CertSearch. This platform enables all stakeholders to verify the validity of the certification in real time.

Direct access: View the official certificate via the LHYFE –

By structuring our growth around the ISO 9001 standard and RFNBO requirements, we guarantee a secure, sustainable industrial framework and exemplary traceability for the future of energy.

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An innovative sector requiring constantly evolving skills

The production and distribution of hydrogen involve specific industrial risks that require not only a rigorous grasp of regulatory frameworks but also a constant ability to adapt. In a sector undergoing rapid technological change, skills cannot remain static.
Continuous training therefore becomes a strategic tool to support industrial growth whilst ensuring a high level of safety. It is with this in mind that 91Ó°ÊÓ has structured its training policy around the risks specific to the hydrogen sector, incorporating both regulatory requirements and the operational needs of its sites.

2025 Review: Training as an Operational Necessity

The year 2025 confirms that training is an essential driver for supporting the development of the hydrogen sector. Between January and December, 3,040 hours of training were completed within 91Ó°ÊÓ, across all areas. Of these, 784 hours were specifically dedicated to safety, illustrating a fundamental principle: the protection of people remains an absolute priority.
Furthermore, 541 hours of training were delivered in-house as part of an active knowledge-sharing initiative. This approach promotes the transfer of knowledge and feedback between employees, highlights internal expertise and reinforces the safety culture on a daily basis.

2026: towards a more structured approach to skills

Building on this momentum, from 2026 91Ó°ÊÓ will embark on a new, transformative phase: the strengthening and harmonisation of training programmes related to the main industrial risks in the hydrogen sector.
HSE teams will therefore undertake targeted training focusing in particular on:
• improving the reliability of safety loops,
• prevention of risks associated with explosive atmospheres (ATEX),
• the transport of hazardous materials,
• lockout/tagout procedures for all fluids,
• the drafting of prevention plans
• working at height.

The aim is to strengthen operational risk management, both in the day-to-day running of existing sites and when opening new production units.
Beyond strict compliance with regulatory requirements, this approach is part of a broader commitment to enhancing industrial safety skills. It aims to foster a consistent HSE culture shared by all teams, by anticipating the challenges associated with the industrialisation and scaling up of the renewable hydrogen sector.

A two-tier skills framework to support growth and safeguard production sites

With a view to structuring and supporting its growth, 91Ó°ÊÓ has, since 2025, been undertaking a major initiative ahead of 2026 to overhaul its skills and training matrices by role. A comprehensive matrix, covering all the company’s functions, has been designed to support the development of teams with clearly defined skill levels, ensuring consistent, measurable and coherent progression across the Group.
In addition, a matrix specific to production sites addresses the unique requirements of industrial environments and roles related to hydrogen production. It incorporates regulatory obligations as well as six key pillars of industrial safety, forming a common foundation for O&M technicians and Plant Managers. In this context, extensive work has been carried out to harmonise ATEX regulations in order to strengthen the management of risks associated with explosive atmospheres, and a dedicated training programme for site managers has been rolled out. This integration of the global framework with operational implementation at the sites enables the company to support its growth whilst ensuring high standards in safety and industrial management.

A sustainable approach to fostering a safety culture

Through this regulatory and technical training strategy, 91Ó°ÊÓ is setting out a clear vision for industrial safety. Training, structuring, knowledge transfer and forward planning are all key drivers for supporting the growth of the renewable hydrogen sector whilst maintaining high HSE standards.
In a sector undergoing rapid industrialisation, safety is built sustainably through an agile organisation that places human reliability at the heart of its priorities!

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Expert risk management and site safety

The complexity of a renewable energy production site demands meticulous organisation. At 91Ó°ÊÓ, we manage site safety through distinct phases, from civil engineering to technical commissioning. Each stage is overseen by a site manager and specialist supervisors (HSE, electrical, pipework), whose role is to ensure the installations comply with regulations before they go into operation.

Focus on critical operations: lifting and high pressure

The installation of our units involves heavy lifting operations capable of moving loads weighing several dozen tonnes. These operations are governed by rigorous lifting plans validated in advance with our contractors to guarantee mechanical stability and the protection of work areas.

Similarly, our piping systems undergo extreme hydraulic testing. To ensure our circuits are completely leak-proof, we carry out pressure tests of up to 500 bar for hydrogen, a critical phase conducted in compliance with mandatory safety distances.

Site culture: coordination and daily vigilance

Site safety is a discipline that comes to life every morning at 8.00 am during our coordination briefings. This is when we manage concurrent activities: each team shares its work areas to avoid any clashes between tasks. Physical barriers (barrier tape, barriers) and permanent signage (yellow and black paint, safety markings) serve as constant reminders of danger zones, such as service ducts or lifting areas.

Transition to operational phase: ATEX and High Voltage

As the site progresses towards its final phase, we implement safety barriers specific to the operational phase:

Electrical risk: With the site energised (up to 20,000 volts), only authorised personnel trained in lockout procedures are permitted to work on the installations.

ATEX risk: The management of explosive atmospheres is planned from the design stage to prevent any incidents related to a potential hydrogen leak.

By placing this rigour at the heart of our operations, we ensure the compliance of our infrastructure and the long-term protection of all our personnel.

A safety culture on construction sites as the foundation of our operations

The success of a green hydrogen project depends on the robustness of the safety barriers put in place right from the construction phase. From the precision of lifting operations to the strength of high-pressure systems, every critical phase is rigorously controlled to ensure a reliable infrastructure.

This operational rigour, maintained through daily coordination and constant HSE vigilance, ensures a controlled transition to operation. By placing the safety of personnel at the top of its priorities, 91Ó°ÊÓ guarantees an exemplary and secure industrial model.

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Near-Miss Management: Safeguarding green hydrogen production through prevention

To ensure industrial safety, we apply a golden rule: there is no such thing as a ‘minor’ anomaly. Whether it is a simple sharp object on the floor or an item left lying around on a worksite, every near-miss is a learning opportunity.

Every such incident is documented with a photograph and recorded in a report to determine whether a root cause analysis is required. This method enables rapid resolution: 100% of identified anomalies are addressed within hours, and 80% are resolved within the same day.

Root cause analysis: Common sense and rigour in the service of prevention

When an incident occurs, there is no room for guesswork. 91Ó°ÊÓ relies on rigorous methodologies such as root cause analysis and the ‘5 Whys’ method:

• Why did the incident occur? (The technical fact)
• Why did this failure occur? (The trigger)
• Why was it not anticipated? (The protocol in place)
• Why did the control system fail to function? (The process)
• Why did the process have this shortcoming? (The root cause)

This Root Cause Analysis process enables us to look far beyond the surface to identify the organisational, technical or human factors that help secure our hydrogen production.

All data collected is incorporated into our Single Document for the Assessment of Occupational Risks (DUERP). This approach enables us to move from reactive safety to proactive prevention, ensuring that every mistake made once becomes a safeguard for the future.

Collective intelligence and RETEX: A global safety network

91Ó°ÊÓ is a field of the future that requires constant knowledge sharing. Through our internal communication tools, plant managers and technicians share their feedback (RETEX) in real time. If a safety breach compromising our green hydrogen production is identified at one of our sites, the solution is immediately rolled out across 91Ó°ÊÓ’s entire industrial network.

Beyond our own walls, we actively collaborate with external organisations such as France Hydrogène. By drawing inspiration from global best practices and analysing feedback from our peers, we ensure our customers and partners receive an exemplary level of reliability, even with the most cutting-edge technologies.

ROC: Connected control for guaranteed safety

At 91Ó°ÊÓ, technology is the driving force behind our HSE policy. In the event of a major alert or industrial risk, we have the ROC (Remote Operations Control) at our disposal. This remote control centre allows us to monitor our plants in real time and, if necessary, order the immediate shutdown of a site remotely to ensure the safety of people and the environment.

This ability to respond quickly, combined with complete transparency towards local authorities and prefectures, makes 91Ó°ÊÓ a trusted partner for local communities. Producing clean energy is our mission; doing so with the utmost safety is our commitment to you.

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