Strengthening Hydrogen Value Chains in Zasavje

On 11 February 2026, META Circularity participated in the Entrepreneurial Breakfast “Zasavje in the Value Chains of Hydrogen Technologies (STEP)” in Zagorje ob Savi, contributing to the discussion on how regional economies can integrate into strategic hydrogen value chains.

The event, organised by the Center za pravični prehod Zasavja (RRA Zasavje) and the GZS Zasavska gospodarska zbornica, is part of the implementation of the Territorial Just Transition Plan for the Zasavje coal mining region. The initiative focuses on restructuring the regional economy towards higher added value, technological diversification and decarbonisation, with hydrogen technologies recognised as one of the key critical technologies under the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).

Within this context, META Circularity presented the broader North Adriatic hydrogen ecosystem, highlighting the interconnected European initiatives North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV), North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform (NACHIP), North Adriatic Smart Communities Hydrogen Accelerator (NASCHA) and H2Ready.

Together, these initiatives form a coordinated framework supporting the development, integration and scaling of hydrogen technologies across the region. By linking companies, research institutions and support mechanisms, the ecosystem contributes to stronger value chain integration and enhanced positioning of regional actors within national and European hydrogen markets.

The programme also featured contributions from the STEP Slovenia National Contact Point and regional actors active in hydrogen and related technologies, including ReCatalyst, Center DUBT, and KEKO oprema d.o.o., followed by a discussion on strengthening cooperation between industry, knowledge institutions and support structures.

The full event information (SI): https://pravicni-prehod-zasavja.si/podjetniski-zajtrk-zasavje-v-verigah-vrednosti-vodikovih-tehnologij-step/

Jurij Giacomelli Presenting at the event