Fraunhofer IWU
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU), a leading organisation for research in production engineering, coordinates the SCALE-AEM project (Supply Chain & Automated Production Line Expansion for AEM Electrolysers). SCALE-AEM aims to industrialise Anion Exchange Membrane electrolysis (AEMEL). AEMEL addresses key limitations of both alkaline and PEM electrolysis by enabling more flexible operation with intermittent renewable electricity, while avoiding the use of expensive platinum group metals and PFAS-based materials. Hezelburcht supported Fraunhofer in strategically positioning and developing this € 4 million Research & Innovation Action under the Horizon Europe Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.
The Project: From Lab-Scale Innovation to Industrial Manufacturing
AEMEL offers a promising roadmap to reducing electrolyser capital costs, improving sustainability and efficiency and ultimately reducing the cost of green hydrogen production and thus driving the European energy transition. However, the scale-up of AEMEL electrolyser has two major challenges: 1) relatively short operational lifetime due to degradation of the membrane and catalyst, and 2) high assembly costs due to lack of standardisation and a high degree of manual assembly.
SCALE-AEM addresses these bottlenecks with three key objectives:
- Increasing production rates and reducing production costs by scaling up automated manufacturing processes.
- Enhancing stack lifetime and performance by developing a next generation AEMEL stack.
- Improving circularity through design for disassembly and sustainable manufacturing.
By integrating membrane scale-up, catalyst optimisation, PCB-inspired bipolar plate production, automated stack assembly and AI-driven process monitoring, the consortium aims to reach TRL6 and MRL6, paving the way for gigawatt-scale production in Europe
A strong European Consortium
SCALE-AEM unites the entire AEM electrolyser value chain. Under Fraunhofer’s coordination, the consortium includes:
- Hydrolite (AEM membranes)
- Antares Electrolysis (PCB-based bipolar plates)
- Matteco (PGM-free catalysts and electrodes)
- Vision2H (system integration and validation)
- COMAU (automation and robotics)
- Core-innovation (digital and AI integration)
Together, the partners aim to demonstrate a pilot production line capable of manufacturing up to 100 kW stacks with high manufacturing yield and automation levels.
Proud to have supported the project
Hezelburcht is proud to have supported Fraunhofer IWU in shaping and developing the SCALE-AEM proposal and bringing together a strong consortium across the European hydrogen value chain. We highly value this collaboration and look forward to seeing the project progress. We wish Fraunhofer and all consortium partners every success in the further development and industrialisation of this promising AEM electrolyser technology, contributing to a competitive and sustainable European hydrogen industry.
