The Belgian company AGFA, through its business unit AGFA Specialty Products, specialized in film-based products and high-tech solutions, and the Italian company De Nora, one of the major worldwide providers of electrochemical products and services, announced a technology development agreement. 

Under this agreement, De Nora will integrate AGFA customised diaphragm separators with its innovative, high-performing electrodes into a novel package designed as a bespoke solution for hydrogen and oxygen production through alkaline water electrolysis. An alternative to hydrogen production by steam reforming of hydrocarbon, water electrolysis uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electric power from renewable sources when available. 

The goal of the agreement is to improve the economic return on investment when producing hydrogen in alkaline water electrolysis process. Enabling operation of the electrolysers at very high current density will provide substantial energy savings. With this unique package, long-lasting current efficiency, significant performance improvement, and maximum flexibility of operations are achieved even with the variable conditions associated with using renewable energy sources. 

Additional details of the agreement are not being disclosed at this time. 

"AGFA is bringing its ZIRFON PERL separator membrane to the next level of performance with this development partnership. It is an exciting opportunity to combine De Nora's expertise in electrochemical processes with AGFA's vast experience in composite membranes," says Marc Van Damme, AGFA Specialty Products' Vice President Marketing & Sales. 

"De Nora is strongly engaged in boosting alkaline water electrolysis technologies and is getting ready for the substantial growth of the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen will be the core of future energy markets and mobility in a large range of markets and applications. Over the last 2 years, we have achieved encouraging results and thanks to the collaboration with AGFA, we are maximizing the overall value proposition of the electrochemical route to hydrogen, lowering capital and operational costs, thus supporting the transition from fossil fuels to environmentally-friendly solutions", declares Luca Buonerba, De Nora's Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer.

AGFA | www.agfa.com

De Nora | www.denora.com