Evonik has boldly stepped into the burgeoning green hydrogen economy with the commencement of a pilot manufacturing plant for anion exchange membranes (AEM) in Marl, Germany. This strategic move aligns with the company’s vision to pioneer membranes as a true enabler of sustainable hydrogen production, marking a significant milestone in the construction industry’s intersection with sustainability.
The new facility, scheduled to go online at the end of 2025, represents a “low double-digit million-euro amount” investment. Once operational, it will manufacture Evonik’s Duraion membranes, with a focus on reinforced membranes to meet the growing demand for advanced AEM technology. The plant aims to supply membranes for up to 2.5GW of AEM electrolysers annually, a capacity that underscores Evonik’s commitment to scaling up green hydrogen production.
Goetz Baumgarten, Head of the Membranes & Fibres product line at Evonik’s High Performance Polymers business line, emphasized the strategic importance of this investment. “The business goals of further pioneering membranes into a true enabler of the burgeoning green hydrogen economy,” he said, highlighting Evonik’s ambition to drive innovation in this critical sector.
AEM technology offers a compelling alternative to traditional proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers. By utilizing less expensive materials like iridium, AEM technology can lower investment costs while delivering high current densities and efficiency. The membrane used in AEM electrolysers is a high-tech polymer designed to perform multiple crucial functions. It enables anion transfer while blocking gases like hydrogen, ensuring efficiency and durability under high pressure and temperature.
Christian Däschlein, Head of the New Growth Area Hydrogen Economy at Creavis—Evonik’s strategic innovation unit and business incubator—explained the multidisciplinary approach behind this technological leap. “Across our many disciplines, we were able to combine polymer design and synthesis, engineering, membrane manufacturing as well as customer and market feedback,” he said, underscoring the collaborative effort that has gone into developing this cutting-edge technology.
Evonik’s commitment to green hydrogen is further evidenced by its recent term sheet signing with VoltH2. The agreement aims to build a 50MW electrolyser to supply Evonik’s Delfzijl chemical park in the Netherlands with green hydrogen. This project not only supports Evonik’s sustainability goals but also demonstrates the practical application of AEM technology in real-world scenarios.
The construction of Evonik’s pilot manufacturing plant in Marl is more than just a corporate milestone; it’s a testament to the evolving landscape of the construction industry. As sustainability becomes an imperative rather than an option, companies like Evonik are leading the charge in developing technologies that can reduce the environmental footprint of industrial processes. The shift towards green hydrogen, facilitated by innovations in AEM technology, is not just a step forward for Evonik but a leap towards a more sustainable future for the construction sector.
While the specific electrolyser OEMs that the Marl plant will supply have not been confirmed, the potential impact of this facility on the green hydrogen economy is undeniable. As the demand for sustainable solutions grows, Evonik’s investment in AEM technology positions the company at the forefront of a green revolution—one that could reshape the way we power our industries and cities.
This development raises intriguing questions about the future of the construction industry. How will the adoption of AEM technology influence the design and execution of large-scale infrastructure projects? Will the lower investment costs associated with AEM electrolysers make green hydrogen a more viable option for a broader range of applications? As Evonik and other industry leaders continue to innovate, the intersection of sustainability and construction is poised for transformative change.
For professionals in the construction sector, Evonik’s initiative serves as a call to action. It’s a reminder that sustainability is not just a buzzword but a tangible goal that can be achieved through technological innovation and strategic investment. As we look to the future, the success of projects like Evonik’s Marl plant will shape the development of the sector, driving us towards a more sustainable and resilient built environment.
