German gases and engineering group Linde has signed a long-term contract with Sweden-based world leader in specialty oils (NSP) and bitumen, Nynas, covering on-site supply of hydrogen at Nynas' refinery in Hamburg, Germany. Linde's engineering division will build a state-of-the-art steam methane reformer plant worth €30 million in total.

The project is part of a major restructuring of the Hamburg refinery, which over the next two years is planned to be converted into a specialized NSP production site. Here, Nynas will increase capacity by 40%. The specialty oils are used in tires, transformers, printing inks, industrial rubber and lubricants.

The hydrogen facility, with a capacity of 400,000 m³ per day, is due on stream in Q4 2015 and will be operated by Linde's gases division. The Munich-based company said the plant also will be able to supply other customers in the Hamburg-Harburg harbour area.

"Nynas and Linde already look back on a long and successful relationship, especially in Sweden," said Linde managing board member Aldo Belloni. The German group supplies Nynas with natural gas from its terminal near Stockholm.