SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES expands portfolio with applications for the growth market of hydrogen technology – EQ Mag

Kahl am Main : SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES successfully entered the expanding hydrogen market with the further development of suitable coating processes as well as the corresponding adaptation of its machine technology. Thanks to the company’s core competence in vacuum coating technology (PVD sputtering) efficient solutions for various applications, such as the production of bipolar plates, can be provided.

SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES works intensively with partners on the development and optimization of coatings for metallic bipolar plates used in fuel cells and electrolyzers. The modular inline sputtering system GENERIS PVD from SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES enables the variable deposition of different layer systems and offers the possibility to sputter bipolar plates in all common sizes with a flexible substrate carrier system. The dynamic inline vacuum PVD sputtering enables high-quality and cost-efficient production.

Dr.-Ing. Stefan Rinck, CEO SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES : “For the application in the production of fuel cells we are working on the development and optimization of the sputter process and the equipment technology for the deposition of metallic bipolar plates with suitable nitride and carbide protective layers as well as other innovative processes.”

The modularly designed GENERIS PVD inline coating system can be used to deposit different coating systems. With its flexible substrate carrier system, the GENERIS PVD offers the possibility of coating bipolar plates in all common sizes. Dr. Stefan Rinck adds: “In cooperation with leading European institutes, we are working on optimizing the coating processes and results in the field of hydrogen technology. We are convinced that the use of green hydrogen makes ecological sense and that the market will grow at an above-average rate.”

Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water, using only electricity from renewable sources such as solar, wind or hydropower for the electrolysis. Regardless of the electrolysis technology chosen, the production of hydrogen in this case is CO2-free, as the electricity used comes 100% from renewable sources and is therefore CO2-neutral.

Market for hydrogen growing strongly

The direct or indirect use of hydrogen offers high potential for the electrolysis, industrial and transport sectors, and in the long term also in power generation. It is becoming increasingly clear that hydrogen will play a central role in greenhouse gas neutrality. Water electrolysis will become a critical industrial policy component. The projected demand for green hydrogen electrolysis plants far exceeds the current supply. According to a study by the German Academy of Science and Engineering, there is a need for at least 20 GW of installed electrolysis capacity for the production of hydrogen in 2030 for industry in Germany alone. The German government’s National Hydrogen Strategy assumes a hydrogen demand of approximately 90 to 110 TWh per year by 2030 and aims to build an electrolysis capacity of at least 10 GW by 2030.

For example, in the study “Hydrogen-based Industry in Germany and Europe” (2021), Enervis Energy Advisors assumes a hydrogen demand for Germany of 110 TWh in 2030, 260 TWh in 2040 and 450 TWh in 2050.

With the GENERIS PVD inline coating machine SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES makes a significant contribution to efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production.

Background Electrolysis

Several electrolysis processes compete on the market with their respective advantages and disadvantages depending on the field of application: alkaline, PEM or high-temperature electrolysis. The first two processes use steel or titanium bipolar plates stacked together with a membrane and gas-conducting elements. High-temperature electrolysis is based on a ceramic solid membrane. A very promising process for hydrogen production for non-uniform operation, i.e., renewable energy sources, is PEM electrolysis (PEM: Proton Exchange Membrane). Due to the expected market for electrolyzers, inline cathode sputtering plants with their large throughput are ideally suited here for PEM as well as for alkaline electrolysis.

SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES – Thin-Film Technology and Surface Treatment

SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES develops and builds innovative machines and equipment for efficient production processes in thin-film technology and surface treatment, which are utilized world-wide in the markets of photovoltaics, semiconductors, medical technology, packaging, glass & automotive as well as batteries & hydrogen.The company’s core competencies include processes of coating technology, surface treatment as well as wet-chemical and thermal production processes.SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES views sustainability as an opportunity to position itself with innovative products.

In the focus are:

• environmental awareness
• efficient use of resources
• avoidance of unnecessary CO2 pollution.

Responsible and sustainable corporate governance is very important to SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES.