Bekaert and Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation, have entered into a global partnership which includes a strategic cooperation agreement, and a manufacturing technology licence for Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA), a key component for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, that will help to accelerate the advance towards green hydrogen production. The new partnership follows an MOU signed by the two companies in September 2023, committing them to developing a formal partnership.
Furthermore, under the agreement, Bekaert’s expertise in Porous Transport Layers (PTL) will be coupled with Toshiba’s innovative iridium-saving technology for MEA, which will enable a 90 per cent reduction in iridium usage in the production of PEM electrolyzers. This reduction in iridium will enable a more stable supply of MEA and support the scale expansion of green hydrogen production.
In addition, Bekaert will undertake commercialisation of MEA production, leveraging its global network and established manufacturing base in Belgium, to serve its hydrogen customers. Toshiba will licence its iridium-saving MEA technology to Bekaert, granting them the ability to manufacture and distribute MEAs. Meanwhile, Toshiba will focus on further enhancing its technical performance of the technology. The agreement is global, with the exception of Japan-related projects, which will be subject to a separate agreement.
