August 29, 2023
Establishment of Supply System of Water Electrolysis Catalysts for Green Hydrogen Manufacturing Equipment
Furuya Metal Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Toshima-ku, Tokyo, President: Takahito Furuya) will increase production capacity for water electrolysis catalysts, which are indispensable to produce green hydrogen*¹. The production equipment to be introduced this time will be able to meet the demand for catalysts of gigawatts*² as a water electrolysis equipment capacity. We expect the production equipment shall commence operation in January 2025.
As a method for producing green hydrogen, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) type water electrolysis, which has good adaptability to fluctuations in electricity derived from renewable energy, has been attracting attention. Its demand has been rapidly increasing in Japan and overseas in recent years. PEM type water electrolysis is a technology to produce hydrogen by water electrolysis using electrodes with catalysts placed on both sides of solid polymer membrane, and iridium-based catalysts are essential for oxygen eneration reaction.
By building a precious metal procurement system from major mining companies in South Africa and establishing efficient precious metal recycling technology, we can provide a stable supply of products made from rare resources such as iridium and ruthenium. As for water electrolysis catalysts, we will establish a stable supply system for domestic and overseas manufacturers of water electrolysers or Catalyst Coated Membranes (CCM) by increasing production capacity ahead of the rise in demand. Furthermore, we will continue to consider further expansion of manufacturing facilities.
The need for large amount of iridium, which is rare and expensive, is one of the challenges in the spread and expansion of PEM type water electrolysis. we will contribute to the sustainable development of the green hydrogen market and the realization of a carbon-neutral society by promoting the development of new catalysts that contribute to the reduction of iridium consumed in parallel with the establishment of a mass production.
*¹ Green hydrogen: Hydrogen produced by electrolysis of water without emission of CO2 in the manufacturing process by usingelectricity derived from renewable energy.
*² 1 gigawatt (equivalent to the power generation capacity of residential solar panels for approximately 200,000 homes)
For inquiries
General Affairs & CSR Department
FURUYA METAL CO., LTD.
TEL. +81-3-5977-3377
Email. ir@furuyametals.co.jp