To produce a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), complex requirements must be met in the construction of the necessary equipment. The Fuel Cell Compass provides an updated overview of European companies developing specialized production equipment – from mixing systems for catalyst dispersion to testing facilities for various production steps and components.

Deep-Dive:

The production of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) remains a central topic in fuel cell manufacturing and is the focus of research, development, and industrial investment. The main challenges continue to include reducing MEA costs, handling thin materials, and developing roll-to-roll processes that enable continuous production with high cycle times and quality requirements. The updated overview now also includes manufacturers of mixing systems, as this process is crucial for producing efficient and homogeneous dispersions as the starting product in the MEA value chain.

Structure and Specialization

The various process steps in MEA production require specialized equipment that covers a wide range of requirements. Equipment manufacturers often focus on only a few process steps within the value chain. By leveraging existing expertise, such as in mixing system or testing equipment construction from other industries, companies can expand their product portfolios and apply them to the MEA production value chain. Many companies are diversifying based on their existing capabilities and entering the hydrogen sector, which contributes to the advancement of production processes.

Innovations in the Value Chain

Innovations in individual process steps will increasingly contribute to cost reductions for MEAs. For example, HS Tumbler's trajectory mixing technology comes from the food industry and predicts reduced mixing times through a defined movement path. Additionally, direct coating during catalyst application offers another lever to reduce costs and waste. Lastly, laser technology can be used to dry both catalyst dispersions and the microporous layer of gas diffusion layers. This excerpt of innovations promises exciting developments that will significantly impact quality, cost, and time factors in MEA production.

Europe: Germany with Most Market Participants

The graphic shows that Germany is a significant player in the MEA production value chain. However, there are also increasingly specialized companies in other European countries offering innovative technologies for producing and testing MEAs.

If any well-known company has not been included, please feel free to send a corresponding notice with public proof to the editorial team.