Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTSFraunhofer IKTS is working with its strategic industrial partner thyssenkrupp nucera on the industrialization of SOEC technology. In May 2025, the first pilot production plant was put into operation in Arnstadt. New manufacturing processes and automation technologies are being tested here.
SOEC technology for the production of green hydrogen enables particularly efficient electricity-to-hydrogen conversion, uses industrial waste heat, does not require rare precious metals and can convert CO₂ directly into synthesis gas and downstream products, such as e-fuels. It therefore makes an important contribution to CO₂ reduction in energy-intensive industries, such as steel, ammonia and methanol production.
The European and global demand for electrolyzers is immense. To meet this demand, production capacity on a gigawatt scale is required, for which a partnership with a market-experienced and strong industrial partner is crucial. "The partnership with thyssenkrupp nucera underlines the potential of our research," says Prof. Alexander Michaelis, Director of Fraunhofer IKTS. "It is a strong signal for the role of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in implementing the energy transition."
