Heraeus Precious Metals and Freudenberg e-Power Systems announced a technology partnership in the field of catalyst-coated membranes (CCM) in PEM fuel cells. The aim is to combine the complementary core competencies of both companies to develop attractive and innovative solutions in the field of PEM fuel cell technology and thus drive the market ramp-up.
PEM fuel cells play a central role in the hydrogen economy. CCMs are crucial for their efficiency, performance and lifespan. They ensure the electrochemical reactions in the fuel cells and thus provide for efficient energy conversion at the highest level. This results in reduced fuel costs and thus the best total cost of ownership over the entire service life. For better market penetration, industrialization expertise and scaling are also crucial. Heraeus has also recently announced partnerships related to PEM development with Mattiq and Jolt Solutions, as well as Smoltek Hydrogen.
PEM fuel cell schematic (Source: Heraeus)
Freudenberg e-Power Systems is a leading provider of fuel cell solutions for the global heavy-duty mobility markets. Based on the Freudenberg Group’s more than 30 years of experience in fuel cell technology, the company combines component knowledge with a holistic system understanding and a unique depth of value creation.
Heraeus Precious Metals, one of the leading companies in the precious metals industry, has many years of experience in the development of electrocatalysts for the hydrogen economy. With its extensive portfolio, the company covers the entire cycle for precious metals.
By combining their expertise, Freudenberg e-Power Systems and Heraeus Precious Metals aim to offer their customers in the fuel cell sector exactly what they need for their specific requirements – from procurement of the precious metal to high-performance catalysts and integrated solutions at the cell level. The two parties combine the comprehensive expertise of Heraeus Precious Metals in precious metal procurement, catalysts and recycling with Freudenberg e-Power Systems’ unique and highly efficient production process that maximizes cost advantages and provides long-lasting, reliable catalyst layers.
This partnership offers customers many advantages: They can choose from an attractive product portfolio and, in addition to suitable, durable and highly efficient CCM solutions, they also find extensive expertise in precious metals, as well as in the areas of precious metal trading and recycling. Furthermore, customers benefit from the stability and reliability of two financially strong family-owned companies.
“The partnership enables us to offer our customers in the hydrogen economy everything from a single source, from the procurement of the precious metal to the finished component,” explains Philipp Walter, Executive Vice President, Business Line Hydrogen Systems at Heraeus Precious Metals. “Everyone involved benefits from the combination of manufacturing, design and precious metal expertise, but above all our customers.”
“The combination of Heraeus’ unique expertise in catalyst formulation and recycling and Freudenberg’s many years of experience in the design and manufacture of catalyst-coated membranes paves the way for completely new solutions in fuel cell technology,” emphasizes Dr. Jan Kuiken, CEO at Freudenberg e-Power Systems. “Within this partnership, we are producing CCMs that offer superior performance and durability as a key technology to a broad range of customers worldwide for the first time.”