New Energies, new possibilities

Landmark Collaboration Leverages Re:Build Manufacturing’s Expertise and Ecolectro’s Breakthrough AEM Technology to Accelerate the Adoption of Low-Cost, U.S.-Made Renewable Hydrogen

ITHACA, N.Y. and FRAMINGHAM, Mass., May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ecolectro, a leading innovator in renewable hydrogen, and Re:Build Manufacturing, a company dedicated to revitalizing American manufacturing, today announced a strategic partnership to scale and deploy Ecolectro’s advanced anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers across the United States. Through this partnership, Re:Build will assemble Ecolectro’s electrolyzers, enabling rapid scaling and cost reductions for hydrogen production—an essential resource for hard-to-abate sectors such as refining, chemical production, transportation, heavy equipment, and industrial applications.

Ecolectro’s AEM electrolyzers eliminate costly precious metals including iridium and toxic PFAS “forever chemicals,” lowering production costs while delivering industry-leading durability and efficiency. By producing hydrogen on-site, these systems reduce transportation and storage costs, allowing customers in many regions—depending on electricity prices—to achieve a levelized cost below $2.50/kg, well under the DOE’s 2030 target of $3/kg.

"Renewable hydrogen is essential for decarbonizing industries, but high production and distribution costs have been a significant barrier to adoption," said Dr. Gabriel G. Rodríguez-Calero, CEO and co-founder of Ecolectro. "This partnership with Re:Build accelerates manufacturing, helping us deploy our electrolyzers at sites across the U.S. to make renewable hydrogen a scalable, cost-effective solution for industrial use, fueling stations, and energy storage. The partnership will allow us to deliver electrolyzers today, while maintaining a customer-driven and disciplined approach to manufacturing."

Re:Build and Ecolectro will produce initial electrolyzer units at Re:Build’s industrial system design and fabrication site in Rochester, N.Y. facilities for demonstration projects and early sales, with details to be announced later this year. Full-scale commercial assembly will occur at Re:Build’s state-of-the-art facility high-volume manufacturing facility in New Kensington, Pa., leveraging Pennsylvania’s steel industry—a key supplier for Ecolectro’s stacks.

While Re:Build will handle the integration and assembly, Ecolectro will continue manufacturing its proprietary chemistry, membranes, and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in Ithaca, N.Y., expanding into a larger facility with support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), a critical early investor in the company. This collaboration creates jobs and strengthens clean energy manufacturing in the Appalachian region, driving industrial revitalization and economic growth in both New York and Pennsylvania.

"High-tech manufacturing is the backbone of tomorrow’s economy, and it’s critical that we develop robust domestic capabilities to support the next generation of hard-tech innovations," said Miles Arnone, CEO of Re:Build Manufacturing. "This collaboration with Ecolectro underscores the importance of building U.S. production capacity for groundbreaking solutions like renewable hydrogen, which will play a key role in shaping the clean energy future."

Officials in Pittsburgh and New Kensington see the partnership as a major economic win for the region’s emerging clean energy sector.

Jason Rigone, Executive Director of Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation stated: “We are proud to see cutting-edge hydrogen technology being built right here in New Kensington. This partnership creates hundreds of high-quality manufacturing jobs and strengthens American energy independence while also demonstrating that our manufacturing sector—which is thriving here in Westmoreland County—can compete with anyone. We’re excited that these Westmoreland-built advanced electrolyzers will help position our country as a leader in the hydrogen economy of the future.”

Why On-Site Renewable Hydrogen Matters
Hydrogen transportation and storage costs can add $5 to $7 per kilogram, increasing expenses by over $1 million annually for large users—Ecolectro’s AEM electrolyzers eliminate these inefficiencies. In addition, on-site production enables safer operation, significant cost savings, and allows customers to leverage federal and state tax credits directly.

Ecolectro successfully demonstrated this model with Liberty New York Gas through a pilot deployment in Massena, N.Y. The 10 kW system delivered hydrogen at less than $2.50/kg (at scale manufacturing costs)—up to 80% lower than the cost of delivered hydrogen. As a result, Liberty is expanding its planned deployment as commercial manufacturing scales.

"Our AEM technology enables the lowest-cost renewable hydrogen electrolyzers available today," said Dr. Kristina Hugar, Ecolectro’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder. "After more than a decade of research at Cornell University and Ecolectro, we’re confident that our innovation will bring the U.S. closer to accessible and abundant hydrogen energy.”

Ecolectro’s growth is backed by strong industry and government support. The company received early investment from Starshot Capital, Toyota Ventures Climate Fund, Techstars, NY Ventures, Caygan Capital (through its founder Narushisa Nakagawa), and Energy Revolution Ventures, along with funding from Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Energy (DOE). In August, Ecolectro completed its Series A funding round, led by Toyota Ventures Climate Fund, with participation from Popular Bank’s Impact Fund, Cornell University, DNX, Starshot Capital, New Climate Ventures, NY Ventures and Techstars Ventures. This broad support reflects confidence in Ecolectro’s breakthrough AEM technology and accelerates its mission to make renewable hydrogen cost-effective and scalable.

About Ecolectro
Ecolectro is revolutionizing renewable hydrogen production with its low-cost, scalable AEM electrolyzers. By replacing precious metals and PFAS chemicals with abundant, recyclable materials, Ecolectro’s technology significantly reduces hydrogen production costs. Learn more at ecolectro.com.

About Re:Build Manufacturing
Re:Build Manufacturing is building a better future for its customers, employees, communities, and stakeholders by revitalizing America’s manufacturing base and creating meaningful, sustainable jobs in areas that have been deindustrialized. Close collaboration among our more than 1,100 employees – including over 400 engineers – and our expertise in product innovation, component production, systems production, and industrial automation enables us to solve complex multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing challenges for our customers. Learn more at rebuildmanufacturing.com.

Media Contact
Launchsquad for Ecolectro
ecolectro@launchsquad.com

Northern Sweden’s greensteel plant edges closer to 2026 start with record arrival of renewable hydrogen kits.

• Stegra will soon receive 740 MW of Thyssenkrupp Nucera electrolysers as part of its €6.5 bn [USD7.4 bn] green steel mill in Boden, slated to begin operations in 2026.
• The 37 alkaline modules, each delivering 20 MW, mark a pivotal step toward launching one of Europe’s largest hydrogen production sites, underpinning Stegra’s ambition to blend tradition with cutting‑edge decarbonisation.

Stegra’s CEO Henrik Henriksson confirmed yesterday that Thyssenkrupp Nucera will deliver 37 alkaline electrolysis modules, each rated at 20 MW, to the Boden site in “the coming weeks”. Together, these modules total 740 MW of capacity – the core of a plant feeding renewable hydrogen into a €6.5 bn [USD7.4 bn] green iron and steel complex slated to start operations in 2026.

Stegra highlighted the scale and significance of this equipment in its social media channels. “This is a big milestone for us and marks an important step for what will be one of the largest electrolysis plants globally,” the company stated, underscoring its ambition to blend established steelmaking techniques with large‑scale hydrogen production.

Each electrolyser skid measures 40 metres in length and 5 metres in width. The assembly of such giant modules takes place at Thyssenkrupp Nucera’s yard in Tarragona, Spain, where Stegra’s team recently toured the storage area. Once on site, all 37 units will be mounted across a 70 hectare plot between the existing power station and the direct‑reduction steel tower in Boden.

The forthcoming arrival of these modules follows months of groundwork on the plant itself. At full tilt, some 3,000 staff, contractors and consultants will converge daily to weave together the hydrogen train and the water‑gas separation units. “Spending most of my weeks at Boden site, where we are some 3000 people checking in every day,” added Henriksson, reflecting on the scale of the onsite effort.

Green hydrogen will feed into Stegra’s direct‑reduction reactors, replacing fossil gas or coal inputs. The output is expected to produce slab steel with a dramatically smaller carbon footprint than conventional blast‑furnace methods. The journey from module delivery to first hydrogen flow is set to be completed by 2026, cementing Boden’s role as a centerpiece of Europe’s low‑carbon steel ambitions.

Melding hydrogen into age‑old steelmaking underscores Stegra’s commitment to marrying industrial legacies with tomorrow’s decarbonisation demands, securing jobs, markets and innovation distinctly.

Source:FCW Team

A 3 MW green hydrogen plant will be built in Vilnius, Lithuania, under a full-scope EPC contract signed between MT Group, Vilnius Heat Networks, and Vilnius City Municipality. Valued at approximately €10 million, the project is scheduled to begin operations in the first half of 2026.

The facility will produce up to 3.45 million cubic metres of green hydrogen annually using water and electricity from renewable sources. The hydrogen will be used to fuel 16 public transport buses, replacing diesel-powered vehicles and reducing CO₂ emissions by an estimated 1,414 tonnes per year.

Up to 70% of the funding will be provided through European Union structural funds, with the remainder covered by the Vilnius City Municipality. The project is a key part of the city’s broader strategy to develop a sustainable urban transport system and reduce urban pollution.

“This project represents a pivotal milestone – it proves how strategic goals and a clear political vision can materialize into real, functional infrastructure,” said Mindaugas Zakaras, CEO of MT Group. “The plant in Vilnius will meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and technological efficiency. We believe it will become a benchmark for urban hydrogen solutions for the whole region. We are confident in this project’s success and believe that close collaboration with the skilled team at Vilnius Heat Networks will allow us to achieve even the most ambitious goals.”

Source:  Hydrogentechworld