Heraeus Precious Metals and Jolt Solutions Aim to Optimize the Use of Platinum Group Metals in Coatings for PEM Electrolysis

Heraeus Precious Metals, one of the leading companies in the precious metals industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jolt Solutions, a Barcelona-based company specialized in the coating of metallic catalysts for electrochemical applications. Both companies aim to optimize the use of platinum group metals (PGM) for proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis utilizing Jolt’s proprietary SparkfuzeTM technology.

 

This coating technology is a faster coating method with low energy demands and is easily scalable in contrast to conventional coating technologies. It produces surfaces with high catalytic activity and high durability. Jolt Solutions already produces catalyst coated nickel substrates (electrodes) for use in alkaline water electrolysis and anion exchange membrane electrolysis.

 

The cost-efficient production of green hydrogen on an industrial scale is an important element towards a zero-emission society. According to the Hydrogen Council, 375 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity has been announced through 2030, 30% of which are expected to be implemented. As platinum group metals play an important role in the hydrogen economy, its sourcing, application, and recycling are pivotal for cost efficiency.

 

Together, the two companies aim to explore the use of PGM-based metallic catalysts for PEM water electrolysis. Heraeus Precious Metals sees synergies between the two companies. Whilst utilizing Jolt’s patented electrode production technique to produce electrochemical products, the precious metals expert can use its specialties in PGM trading, hedging, PGM sourcing, recycling and recovery to create a valuable closed loop product offering.

 

Leon Rizzi, CEO of Jolt Solutions said “We welcome the interest of such a large and prestigious precious metal specialist. Heraeus’ wealth of knowledge regarding PGM chemistry along with their experience in production scaleup, production of electrochemical products and recycling technologies will help guide Jolt’s offerings to the market. We are looking forward to exploring new business opportunities together.”

 

Philipp Walter, Executive Vice President Business Line Hydrogen Systems said: “The proprietary coating technology of Jolt Solutions looks well differentiated from traditional coating methods. Their technology competence and ability to tackle and quickly scale development projects is a very good fit to our know-how and service portfolio around PGM applications.”

 

About Heraeus Precious Metals

 

Heraeus Precious Metals is globally leading in the precious metals industry. The company is part of the Heraeus Group and covers the value chain from trading to precious metals products to refining and recycling. It has extensive expertise in all platinum group metals as well as gold and silver.

 

With more than 3,000 employees at 17 sites worldwide, Heraeus Precious Metals offers a broad portfolio of products that are essential for many industries such as the automotive, chemicals, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, hydrogen and jewelry industry.

 

About Jolt Solutions

 

Jolt is a Barcelona-based electrode coating company. Jolt has a new patented process called Sparkfuze which uses an exothermal reaction to impregnate catalysts into the surface of the substrate creating activated electrodes. This technique can be used to activate any metallic substrate creating electrodes for numerous electrochemical processes. Benefits include higher durability, increased efficiency, and reduced production costs.

 

Jolt’s initial production facility can handle around 100,000m2 per annum and can be easily scaled much further anywhere in the world.

 

Source:  Fuel Cells Works