Nitrogen+Syngas 399 Jan-Feb 2026
26 January 2026
Greene Tweed achieves hydrogen compression breakthrough
Greene Tweed, a leader in advanced materials and high-performance solutions, says it has achieved a significant advancement in hydrogen compression technology. The company’s newly engineered composite closed impeller set a record-breaking tip speed of 688 m/s in testing – nearly double that of traditional metallic impellers. The innovation highlights the potential of advanced composite materials to enhance performance, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in critical hydrogen pipeline infrastructure, specifically the transportation, storage and utilisation market segments.
Transporting hydrogen through pipelines requires large centrifugal compressors to maintain pressure. Conventional metallic impellers typically operate at speeds of up to 360 m/s for closed designs and 500 m/s for open designs before burst, limiting the achievable compression ratio for lighter gases and thus requiring more compressor stages, increasing the system size, cost, and maintenance requirements. With Europe planning tens of thousands of kilometres of hydrogen pipelines by 2040, the demand for faster, more durable, and cost-effective compressor technology is surging.
“We aim to revolutionize hydrogen infrastructure by breaking past the limitations of metals,” said Magen Buterbaugh, Greene Tweed President and CEO. “By delivering solutions that cut costs, simplify operations, and drive scalability, Greene Tweed is setting a new standard for the industry. We are now collaborating with centrifugal compressor OEMs to bring this technology to real-world applications.”
