World's Largest Hydrogen Purification Plant Launches in Xinjiang, China

On 6 December 2025, Xuanli (Xinjiang) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. officially commenced trial production at its pure hydrogen plant in Naomao Lake Town, Yiwu County, marking the launch of the world's largest hydrogen purification facility. The milestone represents a major advancement for China's hydrogen energy industry, supporting large-scale and high-end development.

The plant leverages upstream hydrogen resources and integrates with two existing comprehensive energy hydrogen refuelling stations, creating a full industrial chain covering production, storage, transportation, refuelling, and management. With a total designed capacity of 2×25 tonnes per day, the facility produces hydrogen at 99.999% purity, meeting national standards for hydrogen fuel cells and significantly surpassing conventional industrial hydrogen purity levels of around 99.1%. This high-purity hydrogen caters to advanced applications, including hydrogen fuel cells and chemical raw materials.

Zhou Xijun, Head of the Pure Hydrogen Plant at Xuanli, stated, 'Upstream products undergo purification through our facility to yield hydrogen suitable for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. This plant is currently the largest hydrogen purification facility in China, and indeed globally, employing mature technology. Sufficient upstream hydrogen supply is integrated with the hydrogen vehicle transport capacity of downstream refuelling stations.'

Phase I of the plant operates at 25 tonnes per day. Once Phase II is completed, total capacity will reach 50 tonnes per day, sufficient to meet the refuelling demands of nearly 2,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicle trips. The two integrated energy hydrogen refuelling stations constructed alongside the plant further enhance capacity:

• Xuanli Hydrogen Energy Integrated Energy Station – the world's largest hydrogen refuelling station, featuring eight refuelling islands capable of servicing eight vehicles simultaneously, with a daily refuelling capacity of 10 tonnes and up to 300 vehicle visits.

• Yihong Energy Hydrogen Station (counter station) – Phase I designed capacity of 5 tonnes per day with five hydrogen islands. Hydrogen primarily comes from upstream pure hydrogen plants, while surplus is recycled or sold externally, exemplifying a 'turning waste into treasure' approach.

Meng Xiangjun, shift supervisor at Xuanli's integrated energy station, explained, 'One station platform can refuel three vehicles per hour. An empty load can travel over 500 kilometres, while a heavy load covers more than 300 kilometres.'

Hydrogen-powered vehicles currently operating at the facility demonstrate low noise and strong power, highlighting their market potential. Hydrogen fuel truck driver Li Paoping commented, 'Hydrogen vehicles deliver strong power, feel robust to drive, and perform well in acceleration and other aspects.'

As a strategic energy hub, Hami is actively promoting hydrogen energy development. Designated among the first autonomous region-level hydrogen industry demonstration zones, it has emerged as a core hydrogen energy hub in Northwest China. The commissioning of the world's largest hydrogen purification plant and refuelling stations not only strengthens China's global competitiveness in hydrogen energy but also lays a foundation for widespread applications across transportation, chemical industries, and beyond. This achievement propels China's hydrogen sector toward world-leading standards.