Ionomers to be developed for fuel cell mebranes

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 5, 2001

Victrex plc and Ballard Power Systems announced today that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to develop and manufacture two separate ionomers for use in membranes for Ballard fuel cells

Victrex plc and Ballard Power Systems Inc announced today that they have entered into an exclusive agreement to develop and manufacture two separate ionomers (proton conductive polymers) for use in membranes for Ballard fuel cells.

Victrex and Ballard will develop the manufacturing processes for Ballard's proprietary ionomer and collaborate on the development of Victrex's proprietary ionomer.

The initial development period will last up to four years during which each party will fund its own costs.

Victrex does not expect its costs to exceed £0.5m in the first year.

Upon the successful completion of the development phase for each ionomer, including the development of volume manufacturing processes and qualification of the ionomer for commercial applications, Victrex will operate pilot facilities to manufacture these ionomers for use in Ballard fuel cells.

"This is an important alliance for Ballard as it has the potential to accelerate cost reduction through volume manufacturing of Ballard's ionomer and through the qualification of Victrex's low-cost ionomer for use in our fuel cells," said Kip Smith, Ballard President and Chief Operating Officer.

"Victrex has demonstrated manufacturing capabilities and expertise in developing polymers," said Dr.Alfred Steck, Ballard's Vice-President and Chief Technical Officer.

"The combined strength of Ballard and Victrex will allow us to broaden our technology base and enhance our ability to achieve our volume manufacturing and cost reduction goals." "We are excited at the prospect of working with the world leader in proton exchange membrane fuel cells," said David Hummel, Victrex's Chief Executive.

"This alliance with Ballard greatly enhances the prospects for the membrane materials that we have developed and leverages Victrex's skill in manufacturing with Ballard's fuel cell expertise.

We look forward to a mutually beneficial long-term relationship." Victrex plc is an innovative, world-leading, high performance materials group.

It has manufacturing plants and research facilities in the UK, and sales and distribution centres serving over 30 countries worldwide.

Victrex is at the forefront of high performance polymer technology having developed and commercialised a number of new materials.

The most notable of these is PEEK(tm) polymer, a high performance plastic with a unique combination of properties, which include exceptional chemical, wear, electrical and temperature resistance, as well as dimensional stability and numerous processing capabilities.

These properties enable engineers to produce cost-effective designs for critical applications in such diverse markets as the industrial, aerospace, automotive, electronics, food and medical sectors.

Ballard Power Systems Inc is recognised as the world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing zero-emission proton exchange membrane fuel cells for use in transportation, electricity generation and portable power products.

Ballard Power Systems' proprietary fuel cell technology is enabling automobile, electrical equipment and portable power product manufacturers to develop environmentally clean products for sale.

The fundamental component of these end-user products is the Ballard fuel cell that combines hydrogen (which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas, petroleum or renewable sources) and oxygen (from air) without combustion to generate electricity.

Ballard is partnering with strong, world-leading companies, including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GPU International, ALSTOM and EBARA, to commercialize Ballard fuel cells.

Ballard has also supplied fuel cells to Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Yamaha, Cinergy, Coleman Powermate and Matsushita Electric Works, among others.

Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than ?58m in the last financial year.

The company exports 98 percent of its VICTREX PEEK(tm) polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.