Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub

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A dedicated space for advancing electrolyzer performance

The Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub: a purpose-built R&D facility at our Global Bekaert Tech Campus in Belgium, designed to accelerate the development and qualification of porous transport layer (PTL) technologies and electrolyzer cell components.

Accelerating green hydrogen

The global push toward carbon-neutrality requires breakthroughs in green hydrogen production. But innovation alone isn’t enough – it has to be tested, validated, and scaled. That’s why we have launched the Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub: a purpose-built R&D facility at our Global Bekaert Tech Campus in Belgium, designed to accelerate the development and qualification of porous transport layer (PTL) technologies and electrolyzer cell components.

Electrolyzers sit at the core of green hydrogen generation – but the performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness of these systems still present significant technical challenges. At Bekaert, we’ve spent over two decades working on that challenge through advanced PTL development, coating expertise, and scalable component manufacturing. The Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub represents our next leap forward.

Build better electrolyzers, faster

The Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub supports Bekaert’s broader mission: to lead the advancement of green hydrogen through deep technical expertise, scalable infrastructure, and collaborative development.

We’re not just testing our own materials. We partner with research institutions, universities, and industrial OEMs to co-develop next-generation components, improve performance under real-world conditions, and shorten time to market.

Key features of the Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub

Each space in the Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub is designed to turn technical questions into actionable results – quickly, reliably, and at scale. We combine product testing, customer-oriented services, and harmonized methodologies – all under one roof.

Cutting Lab

Precision starts here. We cut PTL samples in a variety of formats. Precise cutting ensures a perfect fit – enabling reproducible assembly, supporting safety, and improving overall product performance.

Assembly & Analysis Lab

This lab conducts membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and visual inspection of cell components. With an optical microscope, it supports structural evaluation and post-mortem analysis to understand performance over time.

Electrolysis Testing Lab

With multiple in-house PEM and AEM test stations, we run short-stack evaluations under true-to-life operating conditions.

Coating Lab

We apply and test protective coatings to improve conductivity, corrosion resistance, and membrane interface performance. These treatments reduce contact resistance and extend cell lifetime under high-demand conditions.

Collaborative R&D – grounded in real-world challenges

The Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub is a platform for real-world impact, not just R&D. It’s home to local and EU-funded research, and we’re actively contributing to several high-profile programs that tackle core industry challenges.

We’re already working within several major EU-funded projects:

HYScale explores how to reduce the cost and scale up production of green hydrogen technologies.
ECO2Fuel supports carbon capture and reuse through electrochemical innovationconversion, where PTL design plays a central role.

These projects drive innovation in pressure-resilient PTLs, tunable coatings, and high-efficiency stacks – and we bring those breakthroughs directly into our customer collaborations.

Why work with us?

High credibility and transparancy

Our testing methodologies are harmonized with top research institutions, giving your team results you can trust – and replicate.

Robust internal capabilities

We manage everything from cutting to coating to cell testing in-house, giving you speed, control, and flexibility across the development cycle.

Proven collaboration model

We’ve been co-developing with leading electrolyzer manufacturers and academic partners for almost two decades. The Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub is a natural extension of that work – designed to help you solve tough technical problems, together.

Let's build it together

If you’re developing the next generation of high-performance, low-TCO electrolyzers, our Hydrogen Innovation Hub is here to support your next breakthrough.

Are you a valued customer in need of testing support, material insight, or a long-term R&D partner? We’d love to hear from you.

Contact us

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