An EU patent has been granted for hydrogen production starting from gasous or liquid hydrocarbons, air and water, using an auto thermal catalytic reactor characterized by a high efficiency because of a low CO2 formation. The reactor utilizes a catalyst based on BaZrO3 with precious metals in its structure present in a high oxidation state.This catalyst obtained a USA patent and more recently also a European patent. All the above mentioned patents may be transfered to industries interested in developing them on an industrial scale.