BASF begins construction of German plant to produce green hydrogen components

BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) has begun construction of its first green hydrogen and fuel cell component production facility in Budenheim, Germany, near Frankfurt. Products manufactured at the facility will include newly developed low-iridium catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs), a key functional element of proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. This will complement Celtec® membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for high-temperature fuel cells, which will also be manufactured at the facility. MEAs are critical fuel cell components that enable the efficient conversion of hydrogen, along with oxygen from air, into electricity.

ECMS’s hydrogen business operates globally, with operations in Europe, North America and Asia. As the renewable energy ecosystem rapidly expands, green hydrogen production from water electrolysis will become a key pillar supporting the global energy transition. The new facility will enable the commercial launch of newly developed CCMs for multi-gigawatt PEM electrolyzers to serve the global market. This investment allows ECMS to expand its capabilities in precious metals, catalysts and recycling, positioning itself as an integrated, full-spectrum, end-to-end solution provider across a range of product lines in the green hydrogen space.

“This new Budenheim location is a key part of our global hydrogen strategy,” said Tim Ingle, Senior Vice President, Precious Metals Services and Recycling, ECMS. “As a global leader in precious metals services and catalyst recycling, this investment solidifies our support for the emerging hydrogen economy with closed-loop solutions that improve the efficiency and lower the costs of PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells.”

“Our new products have successfully progressed from R&D to pilot testing. Production in Budenheim marks an important milestone for bringing these products to market and puts us in a strong position to capitalize on this significant business opportunity,” said Saeed Alerasool, Senior Vice President, R&D and Applications, ECMS.

The Budenheim facility is scheduled to open in summer 2025. The facility, on an industrial site, is located in the center of Europe in the Rhein-Main metropolitan area. The project is being developed in cooperation with Trigona Fuel Cell Components GmbH and Grundstücksverwaltung Rheinufer GmbH & Co. KG.

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