Hyundai and Kia are collaborating with Gore, a leader in fuel cell technology, to develop a joint electrolyte membrane.
Hyundai Motor and Kia hosted a joint development agreement ceremony with W. L. Gore & Associates (hereafter Gore) at the Hyundai-Kia Mabuk Research Center, aiming to develop an electrolyte membrane for next-generation commercial hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Gore is a global company with expertise in material science and engineering technology. It holds numerous patents for electrolyte membranes and MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) for fuel cells and has successfully commercialized its production. Building on this, Gore supplies electrolyte membranes and MEAs to major OEMs and fuel cell specialists worldwide, thereby contributing to the growth of the hydrogen industry.
The electrolyte membrane is a critical component of hydrogen fuel cells, preventing the movement of electrons separated from hydrogen gas while selectively allowing hydrogen ions to pass through.
Since the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte membrane influences the speed of chemical reactions within the fuel cell, the membrane significantly impacts the overall fuel cell system’s output and durability.
Through this agreement with Gore, Hyundai and Kia plan to develop the optimal electrolyte membrane for application in next-generation fuel cell systems.
With the implementation of the next-generation electrolyte membrane in fuel cell systems, Hyundai and Kia expect to develop vehicles with significantly improved durability and performance compared to existing commercial hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Gore has maintained a partnership with Hyundai for over 15 years, supplying membranes for the Tucson ix35 FCEV, Hyundai’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle launched in 2013, as well as for the second-generation hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, Nexo.
The two companies are diversifying their collaboration by jointly developing electrolyte membranes and continuously expanding the range of related technology applications.
Kim Chang-hwan, Executive Director of Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development Center, stated, “Based on our long-term partnership with Gore, we aim to secure the excellent durability required for commercial hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and by developing the next-generation electrolyte membrane, we will seize the latest technologies in the fuel cell field and bring even more competitive hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to the world.”
Michel Augustine, Leader of Gore’s Clean Energy Business Group, remarked, “We aim to assist Hyundai and Kia in providing competitive hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in terms of performance and cost based on our outstanding polymer electrolyte membrane technology solutions, and we look forward to further developing our longstanding partnership with Hyundai and Kia.”
Meanwhile, Hyundai announced its plan to establish a ‘Hydrogen Business Toolbox’ to realize its vision for the hydrogen ecosystem through collaboration among various entities within the Hyundai Motor Group during the CEO Investor Day last June.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr