China just made a major move in its clean energy journey—officially adding hydrogen to its list of strategic energy sources under the new 2025 Energy Law. This is a big deal. With hydrogen now having major legal backing, the country is stepping on the gas to roll out its green hydrogen infrastructure a lot faster—all in an effort to hit its dual carbon targets.
Jiangsu ZTOC’s Game-Changing Hydrogen Pipelines
Leading the charge is Jiangsu Zhengdao Ocean Technology Co Ltd (ZTOC), and they’re doing something pretty innovative. The company has created flexible thermoplastic reinforced composite pipelines that were built from the ground up specifically for transporting hydrogen. Why does that matter? Well, traditional pipelines have struggled with issues like hydrogen embrittlement, but ZTOC’s designs get around that. These next-gen pipelines are already being rolled out across the country’s green hydrogen hubs and renewable energy zones, laying the foundation for a seriously modern hydrogen infrastructure.
Hydrogen’s Growing Role in China’s Energy Future
According to China’s National Energy Administration (NEA), hydrogen isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Whether it’s cutting emissions or shaking up how energy flows across the country, sustainable energy depends on it. For now, much of China’s hydrogen still comes from fossil fuels, but that’s quickly changing. The focus is shifting toward hydrogen production powered by renewables, and with the right tech and infrastructure in place, that shift is looking more and more doable.
That said, it’s not all smooth sailing just yet. As hydrogen adoption ramps up, regulators are keeping a close eye on safety standards and the true cost of scaling up. But if things keep moving the way they are, industrial decarbonization may no longer be a lofty goal—it could soon be the new normal.
