The Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub is open – and built for what’s next

The path to sustainable energy just took a bold leap forward. We have officially opened the doors to the Bekaert Hydrogen Innovation Hub, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to accelerating innovation in electrolyzer technologies and porous transport layer (PTL) development.

The launch marks a major milestone in our commitment to shaping a greener, more resilient energy future – together with our partners, customers, and the global hydrogen ecosystem.

Our esteemed guests got a first look at our testing infrastructure, saw live demos of PEM and AEM testing stations in action, and heard from the engineers behind some of our most ambitious programs. The focus: how to go from PTL and cell technology to market-ready innovation, faster.

The facility includes:

• Cutting lab: Where we prep porous transport layer (PTL) samples in various formats. Precise cutting ensures reproducible assembly, supports safety, and enhances overall product performance.
• Assembly & analysis lab: Home to membrane-electrode assembly and tools like an optical microscope for structural insight.
• Electrolysis testing lab: Equipped with multiple in-house PEM and AEM short-stack testing stations, this lab enables performance and durability testing under true-to-life operating conditions.
• Coating lab: Where we refine surface treatments and electrodeposition techniques, to improve conductivity, lower resistance and protect components over time.

Each zone is designed to support full-stack validation and accelerate the qualification process for our partners.