03/07/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 2 July, the European Commission launched the hydrogen mechanism as part of the EU platform enabling European businesses to source energy and raw materials. After hydrogen, this platform will host a mechanism for raw materials and another for natural gas and biomethane, “with the possibility to cover other products in the future”, as the Commission indicated in a press release. The first mechanism of the platform, required by the ‘gas’ regulation (see EUROPE 13455/26), as part of the European Hydrogen Bank, is designed to support the development of the market for renewable, low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives (ammonia, methanol and certain sustainable aviation fuel). A first round of matching supply and demand is scheduled for September. At this stage, however, it is not a joint purchasing process. (PLD)