Three Questions to Petra Peterhänsel, Plant Manager BMW Group Plant Leipzig

Petra Peterhänsel has been Plant Manager of the BMW Group Plant Leipzig since 2022 – a site that has long been committed to innovative and sustainable production. As early as 2013, the first hydrogen filling station for logistics vehicles in Germany was commissioned here. Now comes the next step: together with ONTRAS and MITNETZ GAS, the plant is preparing to connect to a hydrogen pipeline. This will strengthen BMW’s energy supply and further advance the decarbonisation of its production. In this interview, Petra Peterhänsel talks about the role of hydrogen at the plant, the importance of pipeline connection, and the framework conditions needed to accelerate such projects.

1. Why is BMW using hydrogen at the Leipzig plant?
   
   As the BMW Group, we have committed ourselves to achieving CO₂ neutrality across all company processes by 2050. As a production site, we are looking for ways to contribute to this goal through more efficient processes and the switch to renewable energy sources. Here in Leipzig, we saw good potential for using hydrogen thanks to the existing infrastructure and the presence of regional players from the chemical industry.
   
   The key question for us was: can we use hydrogen as an energy source for process heat in the paint shop – and what would that path look like? This fits very well with the history and culture of our Leipzig plant, which has always been about taking new paths and doing things that others may still be hesitant about. For example, as early as 2013, we built Germany’s first indoor hydrogen filling station for logistics vehicles.
   
2. What does the hydrogen pipeline connection mean for the BMW Group Plant Leipzig?
   
   As the BMW Group, we have committed ourselves to achieving CO₂ neutrality across all company processes by 2050. As a production site, we are looking for ways to contribute to this goal through more efficient processes and the switch to renewable energy sources. Here in Leipzig, we saw good potential for using hydrogen thanks to the existing infrastructure and the presence of regional players from the chemical industry.
   
   The key question for us was: can we use hydrogen as an energy source for process heat in the paint shop – and what would that path look like? This fits very well with the history and culture of our Leipzig plant, which has always been about taking new paths and doing things that others may still be hesitant about. For example, as early as 2013, we built Germany’s first indoor hydrogen filling station for logistics vehicles.
   
3. In your view, what framework conditions are needed to ensure that projects like this can be implemented more quickly?
   
   It takes courage for a company to ask questions for which there are no clear answers. The future cannot be predicted. Our guiding principle, therefore, is technology openness – we consider all technical approaches and evaluate opportunities and risks without ideological bias.
   
   Entrepreneurial decisions must then lead to a shared path forward together with public representatives. To make this possible, commitments must be kept and bureaucratic hurdles overcome. Another critical success factor is a funding framework that allows implementation within an economically viable corridor, thereby fostering market ramp-up.