Agfa advances sustainable innovation through strategic collaboration with VITO and EU funding for green hydrogen production - Seite 2

Agfa recently secured the environmental permit from the local authorities for the new ZIRFON production plant. It will be designed for future extensions that ensure scalability according to market demands.

Agfa’s CEO Pascal Juery commented: "We are dedicated to bringing innovative technology to contribute to the EU's mission for a carbon-neutral future. We have therefore prolonged our strategic collaboration with VITO. Our ZIRFON membranes business grew exponentially in 2023 and we are honored that the EU Innovation Fund decided to support our plans with an 11-million-euro grant. Furthermore, as we obtained all environmental permits, we are confident that the plant will be operational by October 2025 to be ready for the expected further increase in customer demand.”

VITO’s CEO Inge Neven commented: “Hydrogen plays an important role in the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. We are developing materials that enable safe and cost effective production of hydrogen. Agfa is a partner with a proven track record to bring these new materials successfully to the market. We are looking forward to the continued collaboration.”

About ZIRFON
Green hydrogen production involves water electrolysis, a process using green electrical energy to convert water into oxygen and hydrogen, which are then kept separate by a membrane. Zirfon membranes, employed in advanced alkaline electrolysis, are renowned for their consistently high productivity and durability under dynamic operating conditions, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of electrolytic systems, while limiting maintenance.
The unparalleled efficacy of ZIRFON membranes in green hydrogen production is demonstrated by their exceptional productivity, four times higher than conventional membranes while also allowing safe intermittent operation of the electrolyzer, enhancing electrolytic systems' efficiency and reliability.
Learn more at www.agfa.com/zirfon and www.agfa.com/corporate/newzirfonplant/

About the EU Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund, financed by EU Emissions Trading System revenues, is one of the world’s largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies. The Fund focuses on highly innovative clean technologies and big flagship projects with European added value that can bring significant emission and greenhouse gas reductions.”