Evonik has commenced construction of a pilot manufacturing plant for anion exchange membranes (AEM), which it says could support up to 2.5GW of AEM electrolysers annually.
The German firm will manufacture its Duraion membranes at the facility, with a focus on reinforced membranes to meet the growing demand for advanced AEM technology.
Once fully online, Evonik’s Marl plant will provide membranes for 2.5GW of electrolysis capacity. However, it has not been confirmed which electrolyser OEMs the plant will supply.
Reportedly, Evonik has invested a “low double-digit million-euro amount” in the plant located in Marl, Germany, which is scheduled to go online at the end of 2025.
Goetz Baumgarten, Head of the Membranes & Fibres product line at Evonik’s High Performance Polymers business line, said the investment aligns with the “business goals of further pioneering membranes into a true enabler of the burgeoning green hydrogen economy.”
AEM technology offers lower investment costs by using less expensive materials like iridium, according to Evonik, while delivering high current densities and efficiency.
The membrane used in AEM electrolysers is a high-tech polymer designed to perform multiple crucial functions. It enables anion transfer while blocking gases like hydrogen to ensure efficiency and durability under high pressure and temperature.
“Across our many disciplines, we were able to combine polymer design and synthesis, engineering, membrane manufacturing as well as customer and market feedback,” explained Christian Däschlein, Head of the New Growth Area Hydrogen Economy at Creavis – Evonik’s strategic innovation unit and business incubator.
Last month, the chemicals company signed a term sheet with VoltH2 to build a 50MW electrolyser to supply its Delfzijl chemical park in the Netherlands with green hydrogen.
Read more:Evonik inks term-sheet for 50MW electrolyser to supply hydrogen peroxide plant
