Memberships & Publications
To fight the climate change, hydrogen plays an important role as a transportable carrier of energy. However, in order to make the turnaround happen, a lot of challenges need to be taggled and solved, beginning with producing the amount of hydrogen needed to fulfill the energy demand.
Memberships
Today, most electrolytic hydrogen is produced via Alkaline Electrolysis. However, one single technology will not be sufficient to cover the complete demand. All technologies need to be employed in the best possible way. That is why Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis will play a particularly important role, especially in terms of production of Green Hydrogen. It is best suited to convert the fluctuating energy output of renewable energies, such as solar, hydro and wind energy.
For the mentioned PEM electrolysis precious metals are required – some of them being very scarce, like iridium – and they will be needed in significant quantities. Also, sequential processes like the purification of hydrogen, or the conversion into other forms for easier storage and transport, require precious metals.
Thus, precious metals are indispensable for the Hydrogen Revolution, and therefore the hydrogen ramp-up requires a raw material strategy. This strategy needs to cover three important aspects:
- Innovations to maximize the hydrogen output with the available raw materials or cover them with high performance alternatives, such as the Heraeus low-iridium materials
- Strategies to secure the supply with scarce materials like iridium and to manage the specific challenges like high price volatility with advanced precious metals trading services
- Additional capacities and workflows for the recycling of end-of-life materials to recover precious metals to establish a sustainable raw materials loop.
As a precious metals specialist, Heraeus is a skilled partner with high expertise in all necessary fields and has been investing significantly in R&D and hydrogen recycling. What is more, we are actively engaging in the Hydrogen Community, contributing to make the Hydrogen Revolution happen.
Heraeus is a member of various organizations that engage themselves in the Hydrogen economy, among others in the Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen Europe, Ammonia Energy Association, European Clean Hydrogen Alliance and The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA).
As well, we are actively taking part in several projects to accelerate the development of solutions that enable the hydrogen ramp up.
Active Projects
PEMPIRE
Project Duration: 01.2026 - 12.2028 | Funded by the FCHJU
PEM Electrolysis: Pushing towards significant Improvements Reaching Extended Performance and Lifetime.
HollowEL
Project Duration: 04.2026 - 03.2029 | Funded by the BMWK
Scaling up bubble-free PEM electrolysis with hollow-fiber-based direct water supply.
This novel bubble-free water electrolysis method, which involves direct water feed into the polymer membrane, promises a significant increase in efficiency and substantial cost reductions at the system level compared to established PEM electrolysis. The HollowEL project aims to develop manufacturing processes for this novel design of PEM electrolysis cells. The concept, which has already been successfully demonstrated on a laboratory scale (and is based on hollow fibers within the polymer membrane), is to be further developed with regard to industrial feasibility and relevant cell sizes, using materials, geometries, and manufacturing processes that are relevant to real-world applications. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the advantages in terms of electrolysis efficiency and cost-reduction potential resulting from improved manufacturability and reliability of the hollow-fiber-reinforced membranes.
BIOXIS
Project Duration: 09.2025 – 08.2027 | EIT Raw Materials funded
Development of Bio-Doped Carbon Technology for Catalysts in Energy Systems.
unLOHCked
Project Duration: 01.07.2023 - 30.11.2027
The ultimate goal of the UnLOHCked consortium is to exploit the full potential of LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) technology for hydrogen logistics by developing low-CO2 dehydrogenation technologies for electricity generation. This is to be achieved by using a directly coupled technology for converting liquid hydrogen carriers into electricity and hydrogen under energy-efficient conditions and with improved catalysts.
Crucial to the success of the project is the development of an innovative, cost-effective LOHC technology with improved thermal energy efficiency in the dehydrogenation step and the development of new catalysts with high productivity and catalytic stability. The performance of the technology will be demonstrated in a LOHC dehydrogenation plant with direct thermal coupling to a SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) for the production of renewable electricity and hydrogen. With its expertise in precious metal catalysis and its know-how in the production of precious metal catalysts, Heraeus Precious Metals is making a significant contribution to the project.
PEMTASTIC
Project Duration: 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025
The R&D project PEMTASTIC aims to meet the key technical challenges to increase durability of membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) for heavy-duty applications. These challenges are approached with a combination of modelbased design and the development of a durable catalyst-coated membrane using innovative materials tailored for heavy duty operation at high temperature (105°C).
BRAVA
Project Duration: 01.12.2022 - 30.11.2025
The Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell (FC) technology emerging from the automotive industry is of high interest for the future aeronautic industry. However, while automotive FC systems are limited to about 100 kW, an aircraft requires a significantly greater amount of power (multi-MW). In addition, it must operate at different conditions, while being light-weight and keeping the system’s safety and reliability levels to aeronautical standards. Towards these requirements, the 3-year project BRAVA will develop breakthrough subsystem technologies (incl. catalysts, membranes, cooling systems and heat exchangers and air supply) for a FC-based Power Generation System (PGS) for aviation.
H2Giga Projects
- H2Giga SEGIWA
Project Duration: 01.04.2021 - 31.12.2025
Material recycling and adjustment of precious metal qualities in dependence of new metallurgical process concepts with respect to present industrial process controlling.
More information about H2Giga - SEGIWA
- H2Giga DERIEL
Project Duration: 01.05.2021 - 31.12.2025
Setup and expansion of recycling capacities for Pt & Ir waste streams from PEM electrolyzers in the range of GW-production. Focus on processing end-of-life electrodes – CCM (catalyst coated membrane) or MEA (membrane electrode assembly) – as well as assessment of the precious metal value the so called sampling process.
More information about H2Giga - DERIEL
- H2Giga IRIDIOS
Project Duration: 01.04.2021 - 31.12.2025
Demonstration of the large-scale feasibility of PEM EL technology through the significant reduction of the Ir content with simultaneous highly efficient and long-lasting operation in respective MEA concepts.
More information about H2Giga - IRIDIOS
- H2Giga StacIE
Project Duration: 01.04.2021 - 31.12.2025
Stack Scale up – Industrialization of PEM electrolysis. Reducing system invest costs via higher life-time, lower production costs as well as development of large-scale-relevant production processes.
More information about H2Giga - StacIE
- H2Giga ReNaRe
Project Duration: 01.04.2021 - 31.12.2025
Material recycling and adjustment of precious metal qualities in dependence of new metallurgical process concepts with respect to present industrial process controlling.
Completed Projects
AIChE H2CIRC
Develops and demonstrates recycling technology approaches to address end-of-life and critical supply chain challenges for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and electrolyzers. The goal of the project is to provide a blueprint for the hydrogen industry to efficiently and sustainably recover and recycle materials and components from fuel cells and electrolyzers.
HyInnoSep
Project Duration: 01.10.2021 - 30.09.2024
Development of an electrochemical separation technology for Hydrogen from the natural gas grid, aiming towards high purity.
ECatPEMFC plus
Project Duration: 01.03.2021 - 30.06.2024
Novel bifunctional electrocatalysts for fuel cell applications.
CoralHD
Project Duration: 01.03.2021 - 28.02.2024
Catalyst optimization research for stable activity over life-time in heavy duty fuel cells.
OREO
Project Duration: 01.01.2021 - 30.06.2024
Electrolysis & Fuel Cell: Overall research on electrode coating processes.
DirectCCM
Project Duration: 01.06.2019 - 21.12.2022
Development of a scalable production technology for catalyst coated membranes and membrane electrode assemblies based on robust and high volume produceable electrocatalysts, which fulfil the requirements of automotive mass market.
HyTechBasis 4WIVA
Project Duration: 01.04.2019 - 31.03.2022
Development of next generation PEM fuel cell as well as an electrolysis technology using sophisticated technology in bipolar plate and porous transport layer manufacturing.
Kopernikus P2X
Project Duration: 01.10.2016 - 30.09.2022
Investigation, validation and implementation of "Power-to-X" concepts – Technology path Hydrogen as energy vector. H2O electrolysis in PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) electrolyzers with improved efficiency, reduced precious metal loading in the electrodes and thinner membranes.
Recommended publications
You are interested in deep-diving into Hydrogen related topics? We recommend the following publications.
Dr Michael George and Dr Christian Gebauer, Heraeus Precious Metals, consider the role hydrogen fuel cells could play in the development of heavy duty vehicle materials.
| Published | Title | Topic | Author |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | Annual flagship publication that combines comprehensive industry data with proprietary insights from Hydrogen Council members and lessons learned from key hydrogen projects worldwide. |
Hydrogen Council |
|
| Jun 2026 | Global Hydrogen Review 2026 | Annual publication by the International Energy Agency that tracks hydrogen production and demand worldwide, shedding light on the latest developments on policy, infrastructure, trade, investments and innovation. | International Energy Agency |
| May 2026 |
A Call the Action: Hydrogen – as electrification’s indispensable partner – will be key to enabling a historic reshaping of the global energy system and ensuring long term resilience across priority areas. |
A CEO-Led Call-to-Action. |
Hydrogen Council |
| Apr 2026 | White Paper Myth vs. Facts: What is Really Needed for Platinum Group Metals Recycling in the Hydrogen Economy | Providing data on closed- and open loop recycling and the resulting recycling rates. Required measures to create a loop for the hydrogen economy. | Heraeus Precious Metals |
| Jan 2026 | White Paper Debunking Myths: The Role of Platinum Group Metals for a Hydrogen Future | Adressing myths with facts on the use and supply of Platinum Group Metals. | Heraeus Precious Metals |
| Sep 2025 | Global Hydrogen Compass 2025 | Industry progress and lessons learned from the first wave of mature clean hydrogen projects. | Hydrogen Council |
| Jul 2025 | A Call to Action: Accelerate Hydrogen Mobility for Europe’s Sustainable, Competitive and Resilient Industrial Future |
CEO open letter to European Commission. | Global Hydrogen Mobility Alliance |
| Jun 2025 | Conceptual Recycling Chain for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers—Case Study Involving Review-Derived Model Stack | Recycling of PEMWE raw materials. | Bernd Friedrich et al 2025 Recycling, MDPI |
| Mar 2025 | Hydrogen: Closing the cost gap – Unlocking demand for clean hydrogen by 2030 | Report Outlines Solutions to Unlock Business Cases. | Hydrogen Council |
| Aug 2023 | A Comparative Study on the Activity and Stability of Iridium-Based Co-Catalysts for Cell Reversal Tolerant PEMFC Anodes | Material innovation for PEM fuel cells. | Robert Maric et al 2023 J. Electrochem. Soc. |
Read as well
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