Renewable hydrogen in industrial production: A bibliometric analysis of current and future applications

Renewable hydrogen is widely considered a key technology to achieve net zero emissions in industrial production processes. This paper presents a structured bibliometric analysis, examining current and future applications of hydrogen as feedstock and fuel across industries, quantifying demand for different industrial processes, and identifying greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential against the context of current fossil-based practices. The findings highlight significant focus on hydrogen as feedstock for steel, ammonia, and methanol production and its use in high-to medium-temperature processes, and a general emphasis on techno-economic and technological evaluations of hydrogen applications across industries. However, gaps exist in research on hydrogen use in sectors like cement, glass, waste, pulp and paper, ceramics, and aluminum. Additionally, the analysis reveals limited attention in the identified literature to hydrogen supply chain efficiencies, including conversion and transportation losses, as well as geopolitical and raw material challenges. The analysis underscores the need for comprehensive and transparent data to align hydrogen use with decarbonization goals, optimize resource allocation, and inform policy and investment decisions for strategic deployment of renewable hydrogen. • Detailed overview of renewable hydrogen use in industrial processes •Reviewed articles mainly focus on hydrogen in steel, ammonia, and methanol •Limited evidence from hydrogen in heat, cement, glass, and ceramics •Supply chain efficiency, geopolitics, and raw material challenges underexplored •Improved data transparency and cross-sectoral analysis for informed decision making