Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei and US-based Power to Hydrogen (P2H2) have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate the scale-up and commercialisation of water electrolysis systems using anion exchange membrane technology to produce clean hydrogen.
Under the MoU, the companies will explore how to combine P2H2’s expertise in anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis with the capabilities Asahi Kasei developed across its existing electrolysis businesses within the next few years.
Asahi Kasei and P2H2 are already engaged in the joint development of AEM water electrolysis technology. Work conducted under the MoU will add to this, with the overall goal being to develop everything that is required for the future manufacturing and commercial deployment of AEM water electrolysis systems.
Commenting on this latest announcement, Kenji Takeda, lead executive officer of Asahi Kasei and head of the company’s Green Solution Project, said: “We see this MoU as an important opportunity to explore the commercial potential of next-generation water electrolysis technologies. By bringing together P2H2’s expertise in AEM technology and Asahi Kasei’s capabilities in manufacturing and commercialisation, we will evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with commercialising AEM water electrolysis technology and support ongoing business growth.”
The right path
AEM water electrolysis has emerged as a promising pathway to achieve the hydrogen industry’s aims of reducing production costs, securing material supply and improving compatibility with the variable output of renewable energy sources. It combines the use of lower-cost materials and non-critical metals with the operational flexibility needed to support efficient hydrogen production using renewable energy.
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Asahi Kasei is positioning its hydrogen-related business as a future driver of strategic growth and is actively evaluating next-gen water electrolysis technology such as AEM to support its long-term vision.
