Precious metals business Heraeus Precious Metals and Freudenberg Group business unit Freudenberg e-Power Systems have announced a technology partnership in the field of catalyst-coated membranes (CCM) in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

The aim is to combine the complementary core competencies of both companies to develop solutions in the field of PEM fuel cell technology.

PEM fuel cells play a central role in the hydrogen economy, the companies highlight in a statement.

CCMs are crucial for the efficiency, performance and lifespan of PEMs. 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, they add.

For improved market penetration, industrialisation expertise and scaling are also emphasised as pivotal.

Freudenberg e-Power Systems is a 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.

Heraeus Precious Metals has several years of experience in the development of electrocatalysts for the hydrogen economy. This company’s extensive portfolio allows it to cover the entire cycle for precious metals.

By combining their expertise, Freudenberg e-Power Systems and Heraeus Precious Metals aim to provide a full offering to customers in the fuel cell sector – from procurement of the precious metal to high-performance catalysts and integrated solutions at the cell level.

The two parties will combine the comprehensive expertise of Heraeus Precious Metals in precious metal procurement, catalysts and recycling with Freudenberg e-Power Systems’ efficient production process that is said to maximise cost advantages and provide durable, reliable catalyst layers.

“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. Everyone involved benefits from the combination of manufacturing, design and precious metal expertise,” says Heraeus Precious Metals hydrogen systems executive VP Philipp Walter.

“The combination of Heraeus’ unique expertise in catalyst formulation and recycling and Freudenberg’s many years of experience in the design and manufacture of CCMs paves the way for completely new solutions in fuel cell technology.

“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,” Freudenberg e-Power Systems CEO Dr Jan Kuiken adds.