Fuel Cells: New Technologies, Innovative Materials

Germany - Fuel cells play an important part in securing long-term energy supplies and helping to protect the environment and the global climate. Fuel cells transform hydrogen and air to electrical energy, heat and water. BASF Fuel Cell GmbH continues BASF’s significantly expanded catalyst activities for the fuel cell industry. The newly founded subsidiary aims to contribute to the success of this technology as a supplier of innovative materials such as membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEAs), gas diffusion electrodes and catalysts.

BASF Fuel Cell will present its product portfolio and technological strength for the first time at the 2007 Hanover Trade Fair and at the opening press conference of the hydrogen and fuel cell exhibition on April 16:

Celtec® is the only commercially available high temperature MEA enabling operation temperatures of 120 to 180 C (248 to 356 F), thus making fuel cells simpler and more cost-effective. This technology has already won several awards.

The LT-MEAs product line markets MEAs for low temperature PEMFC and DMFC. BASF Fuel Cell uses proprietary catalysts and electrodes, and is developing its own membranes.

The ELAT™ product line markets gas diffusion layers and electrodes for low and high temperature PEM fuel cells as well as DMFC.

The Selectra® product line consists of catalysts for reformation and gas purification and fuel cell catalysts.

”Based on our broad product portfolio, our production capabilities, and the chemical-technological competency of BASF, we are positioning ourselves as the leading and long-term partner to the fuel cell industry,” said Dr. Horst-Tore Land, CEO and managing director of BASF Fuel Cell.



BASF’s Energy Management Growth Cluster
Through the creation of BASF Fuel Cell, BASF is strengthening its activities in the field of energy management – one of five growth clusters identified by the world’s leading chemical company. The Energy Management Cluster is developing new technologies and materials for energy storage and energy conversion, as well as for alternative energy capture. According to industry expectations, the global fuel cell market will grow from €1 billion in 2010 to approximately €20 billion in 2020.



Advantages of Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are small chemical plants that transform hydrogen and air into electrical energy and heat. They are highly efficient and environmentally sound. They can be used wherever electrical energy is required, e.g., in laptops, backup systems, residential applications, or cars. The electrochemical reaction takes place in the membrane electrode assembly. The required hydrogen fuel may be generated by the reformation of natural gas, alcohols, biogas or other fuels. BASF Fuel Cell develops and markets catalysts for reformation and gas purification. Fuel cells can thus transform a variety of fuels efficiently into electrical energy and heat without harm to the environment.