PEM electrolysis is a process for producing green hydrogen. It involves splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using electrical energy. The process offers significant advantages over other hydrogen technologies: it is more efficient and can respond more quickly to fluctuations in the power supply. However, the technology also presents challenges: it relies on critical raw materials, specifically titanium and the precious metals iridium and platinum. These are very expensive and available only in strictly limited quantities. Moreover, the membrane is made of potentially toxic materials.

The aim of the CircuPEM project is to develop a concept for the sustainable production and recycling of the core components of a PEM electrolyzer. The project seeks to recover up to 100% of critical raw materials and make the toxic plastics contained in the membrane recyclable.

As the market for PEM technology remains largely untapped in terms of circular economy, there is significant potential for broad applicability, not only to other companies in the sector but also to other industries and technologies facing similar challenges during the energy transition.