JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – A new brand that offers a comprehensive portfolio of hydrogen application support off a single platinum group metals (PGMs) company base has been launched at the European Hydrogen Week 2024 by Heraeus Precious Metals, a Germany-based entity with long-standing association with Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed Northam Platinum.

The new brand of Heraeus’ Hydrogen Systems Business Line is hailed as providing the collective platinum, iridium, ruthenium and PGMs recycling answers from a single source that the hydrogen economy needs.

Interestingly, it is also capital and confidence themes that are apparent at European Hydrogen Week currently under way, at a time of regular announcements of hydrogen advancement in mobile and stationary clean energy generation across the globe.

Heraeus believes it has hit the mark with Actydon’s widely embracing the new brand of its Hydrogen Systems Business Line. Actydon offers a comprehensive compilation of PGM products and services that provide overall support to customers from under one roof.

The underpin begins with even ensuring the supply of PGMs in widely reported short supply for use in a top-to-bottom range of PGM-based products for electrolysers and fuel cells.

The various recycling solutions complete the brand, so that customers receive all the components – procurement, product and recycling – from one place with a branded reputation to uphold. 

The platinum spread includes platinum catalysts used primarily in the electrodes of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers and PEM fuel cells.

The iridium ruthenium solutions are combined, including the innovative catalyst solutions with low iridium content. 

And what is referred to as the Actydon loop represents the recycling family of the portfolio and takes in the recycling of PGMs as well as the recycling of entire stacks.

In the future, the brand will also be used to combine and further expand its high-tech solutions for hydrogen production and use. 

“For the rapidly growing hydrogen economy, we needed a flexible system that allows us to easily categorise our extensive portfolio for our customers and that can grow with the still young industry,” Business Line Hydrogen Systems product management head Dr Julia Keck explained in a release to Mining Weekly.

Business Line Hydrogen Systems head Dr Philipp Walter emphasised that the introduction of the new brand underlines Heraeus’ uncompromising commitment to advancing the rapid development of the PGM-based hydrogen economy in the best possible way.

“Hydrogen and precious metals belong together,” Walter reiterated.

Heraeus has a policy of working continuously on innovative PGM solutions in close collaboration with its customers and believes in constantly developing its portfolio.

The rapid development of the company’s hydrogen business division, which started as a research-and-development project, has advanced continuously through investments in research facilities, production lines and recycling capacities in China, Germany and the US.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that German manufacturer Daimler Truck AG has been given the green light by the state of Baden-Württemberg to deploy 100 hydrogen-powered trucks, aimed at decarbonising road transport.

In the US, technological advancements have been a cornerstone of the strategy of the Nasdaq-listed electrical equipment and manufacturing company engaged in the fast-paced development of hydrogen fuel cell systems with innovations such as next-generation PEM electrolysers and a mobile refueler designed for rapid hydrogen deployment.

These developments aim to enhance product performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, directly aligning with the company’s commercial strategy.

On the policy front, Plug Power reports that it remains vigilant in navigating the evolving political landscape. The company leverages the bipartisan support for hydrogen’s role in job creation, manufacturing competitiveness, and energy security. This strategic alignment with policy dynamics is critical for driving changes that benefit the hydrogen industry.

In addition, Singapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies showcased a high-power PEM fuel cell at the Fuel Cell Technology Expo in China.

The 400 kW fuel cell, which reportedly offers low cost and long life, is seen as setting the stage for hydrogen applications to enter a new era characterised by greater efficiency with more competitive zero emission power for grid-independent AI datacentres.

Meanwhile, Ballard of Canada has collaborated with global industry partners to design, assemble and deliver two zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered terminal tractors or yard trucks for operation at the Port of Los Angeles.

Vehicle development was undertaken as part of zero emissions for California ports, a pioneering project to evaluate the trucks' safety, reliability, efficiency, and capacity to meet stringent operational requirements in demanding, real-world cargo-handling applications – while reducing emissions.

The project opted to use a Ballard 85 kW PEM fuel cell engine supplemented by lithium-ion battery technology.

In South Africa, partnerships continue to be key, which has seen one collaboration include Anglo American Platinum with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Bambili Energy, Sasol, Total Energies and Accenture on Project Rhynbow.