Strategic funding supports strategy to partner with component producers in the green hydrogen market
BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) opened a new laboratory in Hannover, Germany, committed to advancing research on anode and cathode platinum group metal (PGM)-containing catalysts and components. ECMS will apply its deep expertise in catalysis and valuable metals to broaden next-generation catalysts for water electrolysis to meet demand for in the green hydrogen market. The new laboratory will benefit from the expertise and capabilities of the Research, Development and Application (RD&A) laboratories running in the same location.
“Hannover has served as our European powerhouse for the development of mobile emissions catalysts and systems for 3 years,” stated Saeed Alerasool, Senior Vice President of RD&A at ECMS.
“Our RD&A team in Hannover has launched many innovative solutions that have enabled our automotive customers to fee-effectively meet the strictest emission standards. Its long-set up information in catalysis, precious metals, formula and coating makes it the perfect place to establish our European hub for the development of subsequent-generation green hydrogen technology.”
The new laboratory will focus on numerous key areas which include synthesizing and characterizing superior water electrolysis catalysts and preparing catalyst covered membranes (CCMs). One of the goals is the development of low-iridium (Ir) catalysts, addressing the shortage and high cost of iridium, a important component in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. This research goals to significantly reduce the iridium content with out compromising the efficiency or durability of the electrolyzer, making green hydrogen manufacturing extra economically viable.
Additionally, the lab will conduct electrochemical checking out of CCMs underneath diverse situations to evaluate overall performance and degradation. It will even help customer-specific project and conduct fuel cell testing, permitting ECMS to help clients inside the region with product development.
The new lab is another important step for ECMS as it builds a comprehensive product portfolio that supports the complete hydrogen value chain at the same time as reducing costs for electrolyzers and fuel cells. It also aligns with ECMS’s broader commitment to the global energy transition and decarbonization. ECMS will leverage extensive partnerships and networks inside the business and customer industries, so research conduct in the new lab stays cutting-edge and commercially relevant.
