In addition to additional expenditures in expanding the current facility, the Board of Directors of Agfa approved the investment in a new industrial unit for the company’s Zirfon membranes for the production of green hydrogen.

At the company’s location in Mortsel, Belgium, the unit will be installed in current structures. When finished, the unit will have an electrolyzer capability of up to 20 gigawatts per year, or the ability to manufacture green hydrogen. The unit’s architecture will also permit future extension.

Pascal Juéry, CEO Agfa-Gevaert said: “With this decision, we show our commitment towards the energy transition journey and the decarbonization of industrial and transport activities. As the action is fully in line with the EU’s ambitions to build a strong European hydrogen economy and reach 10 million tons of local hydrogen production by 2030 under RepowerEU, a proposal will be submitted to the EU Innovation Fund, one of the world’s largest funding programs for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies.

Customers all over the world appreciate our in-house developed Zirfon membranes for their unparalleled productivity and extreme reliability. With them, they are able to produce four times more hydrogen than with a conventional membrane. The leading Fraunhofer Institute also independently confirmed that our Zirfon membranes are the most cost-effective technology for hydrogen production via alkaline electrolysis. Our membranes have been selected for large scale hydrogen projects by the leading players in the industry. The new production unit will allow us to play a central role in the advent of the hydrogen economy and to be ready for the expected further increase in customer demand.”