JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Key hydrogen systems laboratories will go live next month in China, where rapid growth is reported in the platinum-catalysed proton exchange membrane (PEM) green hydrogen technology that is poised to play a central role in helping to protect Mother Earth from destructive climate change.

The laboratories have been established in Shanghai by a company within the German Heraeus Precious Metals Group, which has long-standing ties with South Africa, the world’s most endowed platinum group metals (PGMs) country.

Heraeus Business Line Hydrogen Systems head Dr Philipp Walter described as “exciting” the progress made in hydrogen systems at Heraeus Materials Technology.

Walter had this to say on his return from China: “The labs reflect China’s rapid pace of hydrogen innovation."

Interestingly, China – already the world’s biggest producer and consumer of hydrogen – has included hydrogen in its 2025 energy law, which gives the atomic energy number one element elevated official status within the Asian country's national energy framework.

The investment in new laboratories that have good testing and development capacity underlines the commitment of Heraeus to innovate within the world’s most dynamic hydrogen market.

The Asian giant’s lightning fast PEM advance is reflected in the “skilled and motivated” Heraeus laboratory staff already having plans to expand by hiring more hydrogen professionals.

“I’m excited to see how our talented Shanghai team will drive the next chapter of sustainable energy solutions,” an upbeat Walter wrote on LinkedIn.

The cost-efficient production of green hydrogen – on the industrial scale that China can provide – will be an important contributor towards a zero-emission society, on a planet increasingly threatened by floods, droughts and wildfires.

China’s 2025 solar hydrogen advance is underpinned by an innovation-rich ecosystem that is accelerating the global green hydrogen transition, Hydrogen Industry’s Klaus Steven observed this week.

China is rapidly positioning itself as a trailblazer in sustainable hydrogen energy, Top News’ Jimmy Peterson reported on September 22, on the back of strategic government policies, abundant renewable resources, and a strong industrial base.

These factors not only drive cost reductions but also hold broad implications for clean energy transition and global carbon neutrality ambitions, Peterson added.

In South Africa, Heraeus operates from both a marketing and sales office in Boksburg, Gauteng, as well as from a platinum chemical compounds production and refinery site in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape.

Also in South Africa is China’s Hunan province hydrogen stalwart SANY, which has a very active presence in Gauteng, and Mining Weekly can report that SANY has unveiled a PEM electrolyser that is targeting a cost reduction to $138/kW within two years.

One of the largest hydrogen equipment tenders to date has been invited in China through the unveiling of the 2025 hydrogen production equipment centralised procurement bidding announcement.

With an estimated 125 electrolyser units up for bidding, Green Power VP Yong Ye has pointed out that this initiative underscores the commitment of China Energy Engineering Corporation to build a significant green hydrogen supply chain that includes PEM as a key bidding package.

When it comes to producing green hydrogen at scale, Quest One has reported on the advantages of PEM’s fast response to fluctuating power supply and lower maintenance requirement. Quest One described PEM electrolysis as a future-proof solution for the energy transition, with modular design supporting long-term uplift.

Meanwhile, Walter’s view is that the peaks and valleys of renewable-energy supply are best balanced out by stored hydrogen or hydrogen compounds.

Hydrogen’s advantage of being storable for very long periods is being increasingly recognised as being valuable against the backdrop of PGM supply chains being progressively elevated to the rank of decarbonising champions.

Heraeus’ Business Line Hydrogen Systems unit provides platinum-based products for hydrogen electrolysers and hydrogen fuel cells, with an emphasis on electrocatalyst solutions for next generation applications, while also recycling platinum from production scrap and end-of-life catalyst coated membranes.

GLOBAL FORWARD THRUST

The forward movement of platinum-catalysed hydrogen energy activity is ongoing.

In Southern Africa, Cleanergy Solutions Namibia has opened a solar-powered off-grid electrolyser that produces green hydrogen and on the site is a refuelling station for hydrogen vehicles as well as a hydrogen academy where Namibians will be trained in hydrogen technologies.

In South Africa, HySA Infrastructure director Professor Dmitri Bessarabov will share an update on the progress of hydrogen projects on October 1. Noteworthy as well is that the South Africa-backed AP Ventures will be at World Hydrogen Week in Copenhagen from October 6 to 10. Also, Air Products South Africa MD Charles Dos Santos this month delivered a keynote address on a practical real-world approach to accelerating the development of a sustainable green ecosystem in Africa.

In Japan, NikkeiAsia has reported that a new fuel cell truck developed by Hino Motors and Toyota Motor is due out in October. Also in Japan, a green hydrogen project to decarbonise quartz glass production is being equipped with an electrolysis system from Germany’s Siemens Energy. The project for the semiconductor industry in Tamura, Fukushima Prefecture, is described as one that is laying the foundation for the development of a regional hydrogen economy.

In Brussels, Canada’s Ballard Power Systems is due to display its new-generation transit hydrogen fuel cell module at the BusWorld event on October 4 to 9.

In Germany, this week’s Bundestag meeting of BMW, Daimler Truck, GP Joule, and Toyota pointed to a sufficiency of hydrogen for mobility, while separately Germany’s energy ministry made a second call for funding to support green hydrogen projects in non-European countries.

In Singapore, Horizon Fuel Cell launched a 3 MW hydrogen power back-up for AI datacentres.

In Sweden, Microsoft secured near-zero emission steel for its datacentres as part of a decarbonisation partnership with Stegra, previously known as H2 Green Steel.

In North America, Ballard’s hydrogen passenger train has earned a place in the Guinness World Records by travelling 2 803 km in 42 hours without refuelling or recharging, which Stadler reported is a new record.

In Korea, Doosan Fuel Cell has signed a $308-million 20-year service contract to operate and maintain a by-product hydrogen power plant in Ulsan.

In Norway, Sauda municipal council has granted zoning approval for the creation of a green ammonia production plant at the Birkeland industrial site, which Renewables Now reported this week will be equipped with a 270 MW green hydrogen electrolysis system powered by renewable hydropower.

In Estonia, mobility company Bolt has launched its first hydrogen-powered ride-hailing fleet in Tallinn. Thirty hydrogen vehicles will be deployed across the city, as part of a Baltic green hydrogen value chain project, and Fuel Cell Works reported that the fast refuelling and the long range of the hydrogen vehicles enables Bolt drivers to provide quick service in sustainable, emission-free vehicles.

In Italy, the keel for the Viking Libra hydrogen fuel cell cruise liner has been laid at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard as part of a collaboration between Viking, Fincantieri and engine company Isotta Fraschini Motori, to usher in zero-emission technology on the high seas.

In Australia, Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres is promoting green iron as a big opportunity to build a new industrial sector and Australia’s generous National Development Stream of the Green Iron Investment Fund is positioned to incentivise a shift to green steel Down Under.

In Chile, Walmart Chile has introduced a long-haul green hydrogen truck as part of a low-emission logistics effort. The deployment of the truck, which has a range of up to 750 km and a load capacity of 49 t, is part of the South American country’s thrust to take full advantage of its vast solar and wind resources.

In 2023, Walmart Chile opened its first hydrogen plant at the Quilicura distribution centre in partnership with French energy company ENGIE. The facility produces 240 kg of hydrogen a day, which eliminates an estimated 1 600 t of CO₂ emissions of a year.