Linklaters advises John Cockerill Hydrogen on McPhy Energy acquisition, a specialist in low-carbon hydrogen production

By ruling dated 8 July 2025, the Belfort Commercial Court approved the sale plan of McPhy Energy in favour of John Cockerill Hydrogen, including notably the Belfort/Foussemagne gigafactory and key assets (tangible and intellectual property rights) required for low-carbon hydrogen production. In addition to maintaining jobs (72% of the workforce) in France, this sale to John Cockerill Group aims to develop a new generation of pressurised alkaline electrolysers and helps secure the future of a strategic technology sector for France’s energy transition.

The multidisciplinary and cross-jurisdictional Linklaters team working on this transaction involved the Paris, Milan, Brussels, and Frankfurt offices.

The Linklaters Paris team was led by Carole Nerguararian, Partner in the Restructuring & Insolvency practice with her Associates Cyprien Laforêt and Viviane Holly, working alongside Yves Moreau, Partner from the Brussels office.

The team also included Pierre Tourres, Partner and Véra Maramzine, Counsel, with Laurine Pryjda, Associate and Charlie Hanser, Junior Associate in Corporate/M&A. The team was further supported by Fanny Mahler, Partner, Sandra Hoballah Campus, Senior Associate, Gwendoline Vannarath, Associate and Louise Jarlégand, Junior Associate in Energy & Infrastructure/Public Law.

Were also involved Pauline Debré, Partner, Jean-François Merdrignac, Counsel and Associates Manon Surel and Samara Moussa for intellectual property matters, Françoise Maigrot, Partner, Farah Alabed Senior Associate and Marie-Andrée Djiena, Junior Associate, on real estate matters. Lionel Vuidard, Partner and Netanel Taïd-Kashani, associate, advised on employment law aspects.