Evonik’s Innovation Factory has opened an anion exchange membrane (AEM) application technology centre to test its high-performance DURAION® membranes in real-world operating conditions.
The Evonik AEM Centre Shanghai is the company’s first such facility in the region. Its core mission will be to test and optimize the integration of the high-performance DURAION membranes, which are manufactured at commercial scale in Marl, Germany, under real-life operating conditions to ensure they meet the specific needs of local customers.
“With the establishment of the Evonik AEM Centre Shanghai, we are significantly strengthening our ability to address the rapidly growing hydrogen-applications market in China - and also beyond,” commented Jack Zhang, Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific, High Performance Polymers business line. “Being close to customers and partners allows us to better align our AEM technology with market needs, accelerate adoption, and scale up hydrogen solutions for commercialisation worldwide.”
The site will also function as a collaborative hub where the Innovation Factory’s local experts and area partners can work to address technological challenges across the entire AEM electrolysis value chain.
“The AEM centre plays a key role in the continued advancement of our AEM technology,” said Dr. Ryan Liu, Director Strategic Projects and Head of RD&I Greater China. “It will enable faster development cycles for DURAION membranes and also a deeper understanding of AEM-based electrolysis systems as a whole.”
Built on Evonik’s long-standing expertise in polymer chemistry, membrane technologies, and electrochemical materials, the AEM centre’s specialised laboratories feature demonstration-scale electrolysis testing capabilities. These include advanced electrolyser test benches to assess the performance and long-term durability of the membranes under actual operating conditions. Overall, these facilities will support the full validation pathway – from single-cell testing to demonstration-scale systems – ultimately enabling the industrial application of DURAION® membranes in AEM electrolysis.
AEM electrolysis is a process that can generate green hydrogen from water. Compared to other hydrogen electrolysis solutions, it offers great flexibility in power supply and has lower investment costs due to the use of less expensive materials.
“The energy transition is accelerating, with green hydrogen from AEM technology as a key potential for defossilising industry and transportation,” added Fuliang Xia, President of Evonik Greater China. “The Evonik AEM Centre Shanghai will strengthen Evonik’s contribution towards this goal, by optimising our DURAION® anion exchange membranes in one of the world’s most dynamic markets for climate-neutral hydrogen applications and water electrolysis technologies.”