H₂ Ribel: Certified Valves for the Hydrogen Industry – Safety, Tested Materials, and Innovation at HydrogenTech 2025

Ribel Valvole will exhibit from October 21 to 23 at HydrogenTech in Hamburg – Hall B6, Stand 6M63.

As hydrogen emerges as a key driver in the global decarbonization of industrial processes, the need for reliable, safe, and ready-to-use solutions is increasingly urgent. Under the brand name H₂ Ribel, Italian manufacturer Ribel Valvole introduces an advanced, fully certified technological offering designed to meet the challenges of hydrogen and other noble gases. The upcoming HydrogenTech trade fair in Hamburg, from October 21 to 23, 2025, will be the ideal opportunity to explore features, applications, and real-world use cases of these valves, showcased in a dedicated hydrogen-focused display.

Hydrogen: A Challenge of Materials and Sealing

Hydrogen is the lightest element in the universe, yet one of the most demanding in terms of system compatibility. Its molecular structure makes it highly permeable, capable of infiltrating even the tiniest surface imperfections, causing phenomena such as hydrogen embrittlement, diffusion in metallic materials, and loss of sealing in critical conditions.

The risk is not just technical: in ATEX zones or high-pressure environments, even micro-leaks can lead to significant safety hazards for the entire plant. This is why the use of valves specifically designed for H₂ is no longer optional—it has become a technical necessity.

 

From H₂ Ready to H₂ Ribel: Ribel Valvole’s Technical Answer

In the industrial market, the term H₂ Ready is gaining traction—referring to components that are certified, tested, and compatible with hydrogen. Ribel has made this concept its core mission, transforming it into a comprehensive engineering line: H₂ Ribel.

H₂ Ribel is the technical evolution of ball valves, the result of an integrated process that starts with the rigorous selection of metallic and polymeric materials compatible with H₂, continues with tightness testing using helium (He)—a noble gas used to simulate hydrogen behavior—and concludes with compliance to major international safety standards, including:

• PED 2014/68/EU

• ATEX 2014/34/EU

• ISO 15848-1 – Low Fugitive Emissions

• Zheroleak® sealing system patented by Ribel

 

Zheroleak®: The Patented Sealing System That Makes the Difference

All H₂ Ribel valves integrate Zheroleak®, Ribel’s proprietary patented sealing system developed to guarantee zero leakage, even under harsh operating conditions. This system enhances durability, reliability, and safety—even in the presence of high pressures or severe thermal cycles.

Each valve undergoes helium leak testing, simulating hydrogen’s molecular behavior. This step—prior to final certification—helps identify issues that may go undetected with conventional tests, reducing operational risk and extending the valve’s service life.

 

From Production to Storage: Applications Along the Entire H₂ Value Chain

H₂ Ribel valves are already being used successfully in electrochemical plants, refueling stations, and high-pressure compressors. Key applications include:

• Electrolyzer systems (upstream and downstream)

• Refueling stations for fuel-cell vehicles

• Hydrogen storage, transportation, and distribution plants

• High-pressure H₂ reciprocating compressors (up to 350 barg)

• Industrial processes such as ammonia synthesis, heat treatment, and fuel cell power supplies

In all these contexts, Ribel valves have proven excellent performance in reliability, sealing, and hydrogen resistance, even in complex and potentially explosive environments.

 

Real-World Projects: Ribel’s Contribution to the Hydrogen Industry

Among the most significant case studies developed by Ribel in recent months:

• Electrolyzer plants in Europe: supply of wafer-type trunnion ball valves (T1) for precise flow control and downstream sealing of electrolyzers.

• Pure hydrogen compressors: design of monoblock DBB (double block and bleed) valves with selected materials and pneumatic actuators, operating up to 250 barg.

• Hydrogen storage in metal hydrides: compact, low-permeability, high-safety valve solutions.

Each project is a concrete demonstration of Ribel’s versatility and customized approach, supporting industrial customers both in Europe and in extra-EU markets.

 

Innovation, Expertise, and Vision: The Ribel Identity

Ribel is a young and dynamic company with a clear vision: to develop highly specialized ball valves that are fully interchangeable and adaptable to the needs of the modern industrial sector. Its technical division works closely with certification bodies, accredited laboratories, and universities such as the Politecnico di Milano, to constantly update its standards in an evolving regulatory environment.

The Ribel philosophy is built on three pillars:

• Tested materials, ensuring guaranteed compatibility with H₂ and noble gases

• Continuous research, anticipating tomorrow’s standards

• Integrated safety, supporting even the most ambitious transitions

 

HydrogenTech 2025: Meet Ribel in Hamburg

From October 21 to 23, 2025, Ribel Valvole will be one of the key exhibitors at HydrogenTech in Hamburg, Europe’s leading event for the hydrogen industry. At Stand 6m63 Hall B6, Ribel’s technical and commercial team will present the H₂ Ribel valves, showcase technical cutaways, renderings, and application projects, and be available for dedicated meetings with engineers, designers, EPC contractors, and stakeholders from across the energy value chain.

Ribel Valvole is more than a manufacturer—it’s a technological partner supporting a changing industry.
With H₂ Ribel, the company approaches the energy transition with expertise, innovation, and the ability to deliver tailored, hydrogen-ready solutions tested for the future.