Many companies are already doing a lot for sustainability, but are not showing it. H2APEX, an important player in the energy transition in the hydrogen sector, has recognized this potential and made its activities visible in a targeted manner. Together with iron, the company has published its first Sustainability report according to the VSME standard. A practical project that shows what made it easier to get started, where the challenges lay and why ESG-oriented investors such as Active Ownership demand precisely such reports.
From the pioneer of green hydrogen to more ESG transparency
Companies that produce green hydrogen already make a significant contribution to sustainability through their business model. However, even the best ESG performance only has a limited impact if it is not recorded in a structured manner and communicated transparently. For H2APEX, this was an opportunity to present its own ESG performance even more transparently. In addition to banks and customers, investors such as Active Ownership are increasingly demanding a high degree of transparency and see sustainability not as a side issue, but as a key value driver.
Active Ownership pursues an active investment approach: instead of simply providing capital, the investor closely supports its portfolio companies in their strategic development and ESG issues play a central role in this. From this perspective, a structured sustainability report is not only a communication tool, but also an important basis for identifying risks at an early stage, making progress measurable and securing long-term corporate value.
Together with iron, H2APEX has produced its first sustainability report in accordance with the VSME standard and published it alongside the current annual report.
The voluntary VSME standard was officially adopted in July 2025 by the EU Commission for small and medium-sized enterprises recommended. It serves as a compact, practical framework that focuses on the essentials without overburdening companies with a multitude of data requirements. For listed companies such as H2APEX, which are not subject to CSRD reporting requirements, it is a useful starting point for covering the key ESG requirements. A further revision of the standard is also planned for 2026, which will further sharpen the framework and align it with the omnibus amendments to the CSRD.
Since the EBA guidelines came into force in January 2026, banks have been systematically requesting information - from CO2 emissions and energy consumption to social indicators and supply chain risks. The VSME standard already covers a large part of these requirements. Companies that prepare a VSME report today are therefore not only well positioned vis-à-vis investors, but are also prepared for future requirements in the banking environment.
Focus on materiality and climate impact
Before the VSME report could be prepared, a structured materiality analysis was carried out. H2APEX used the principle of dual materiality to systematically determine which sustainability issues are actually relevant for the company. This involved looking at the impact on the environment and society as well as the financial risks and opportunities for the company. The result was 9 material topics, of which climate and energy emerged as by far the most important. Hardly surprising for a company whose business model is geared towards replacing fossil fuels.
This is precisely the core of the H2APEX business model: the focus is not only on the company's own emissions, but above all on the avoidance potential on the customer side. By supplying RFNBO-certified hydrogen (i.e. hydrogen that is proven to come from renewable energy sources), H2APEX enables its customers to replace fossil fuels and significantly reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions.
A decisive building block for the RFNBO certification is the origin of the electricity. At the main site in Rostock-Laage, the company's own photovoltaic system already covered more than half of the local electricity requirements in 2025, which is concrete proof that H2APEX's hydrogen production not only meets the strict EU criteria for green hydrogen, but actively supports them. This is supplemented by a climate risk analysis carried out for the first time and a climate strategy with a reduction path in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. To classify the climate impact, H2APEX also uses the X-Degree Compatibility (XDC) model, which measures the contribution to global warming in degrees Celsius. Without further measures, this is already 1.5°C - with the aim of maintaining this level despite further growth.
ESG reporting as a strategic signal
The report will be published annually in future. The focal points in the coming years include the completion of the ISO 14001 (environment) and 50001 (energy) certifications, the further development of a supply chain compliance system and the expansion of the database for the Scope 3 balance sheet.
„We don't see ESG as an obligation, but as a real value contribution for our company. With our first VSME report, we are making this sustainability performance systematically measurable and creating commitment - both internally and towards the capital market. Green hydrogen is part of the solution to the climate issue and we will also document this contribution transparently in our reporting.“
Marvin Zimbelmann, Head of Governance, Risk & Compliance at H2APEX
Click here for the full VSME report.
Webinar tip
„VSME - useful for your company? Tips, tricks and lessons learned using the example of H2APEX“ on May 28, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.. Also present: Marvin Zimbelmann (H2APEX), Roxana Budimir (Active Ownership) and Steven Rohles (iron), moderated by Carlotta Gemünd (EQS Group).
Participation is free of charge. -> Here register now.
