A Croatian engineering firm is partnering with an international pipeline specialist to construct more than 200 kilometers of hydrogen pipeline infrastructure across three European countries.

Announced by Monter Strojarske Montaže on Thursday, June 25, the strategic partnership with CRC Evans will help develop the Northern Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV).

The cross-border project will build a pipeline network linking Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy’s Friuli Venezia Giulia region, with plans to connect to broader energy networks across Central and Eastern Europe.

Under the agreement, Monter and CRC Evans will focus on designing and deploying specialized pipeline systems capable of safely transporting renewable hydrogen.

Hydrogen gas requires specialized materials and welding techniques because its small molecular size can cause conventional steel pipelines to become brittle and crack over time.

The broader NAHV initiative brings together 37 companies and institutions. As the European Union's first international hydrogen valley, the project is designed to create an integrated ecosystem covering the production, transport, storage, and end-use of renewable energy.

The European Union's Horizon Europe program and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership have backed the project with approximately €25 million ($27.3 million) in grant funding. Additional capital is being raised through the Northern Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform.

Once fully operational, the pipeline infrastructure will support the initiative’s long-term goal of producing more than 5,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually.

Project organizers said the network aims to accelerate the establishment of a regional market for clean energy technologies while significantly reducing carbon emissions across the three participating nations.