Smoltek and Heraeus Launch Critical 3,000-Hour Durability Test for Ultra-Low Iridium PEM Electrolyzers

August 17, 2026

Smoltek Nanotech Holding AB Sweden

Overview

Smoltek Hydrogen and Heraeus Precious Metals are intensifying their joint efforts to develop next-generation, ultra-low iridium Porous Transport Electrodes (PTEs) for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. This autumn, they will launch a crucial 3,000-hour durability test to rigorously assess Smoltek’s proprietary nanostructured iridium catalyst layer. This innovation targets iridium consumption below 0.1 mg/cm² while sustaining high electrolyzer efficiency, representing a pivotal advance toward scalable, cost-effective green hydrogen production.

In Depth

Background

Green hydrogen is rapidly emerging as a critical energy carrier for the global transition to a sustainable economy. However, the substantial cost of current Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis technology poses a significant impediment to its widespread adoption. A key contributor to this cost is iridium, a scarce and expensive platinum-group metal primarily used in PEM electrolyzer anodes, which is also susceptible to supply chain constraints and price volatility. Addressing iridium consumption is therefore an urgent imperative for the entire industry. The collaboration between Smoltek Hydrogen and Heraeus Precious Metals provides a strategic pathway to overcome this challenge, playing a vital role in enabling the ‘gigascale’ production of green hydrogen. This partnership marks an essential technological innovation poised to shape the future of sustainable energy production.

Key Findings

Smoltek Hydrogen and Heraeus Precious Metals are significantly strengthening their collaboration, focusing on the development of next-generation, ultra-low iridium Porous Transport Electrodes (PTEs) specifically designed for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis. This autumn, the companies are set to commence a rigorous 3,000-hour durability test. This critical evaluation will assess Smoltek’s proprietary nanostructured iridium catalyst layer, a core innovation designed to drastically reduce iridium consumption to below 0.1 mg/cm² while simultaneously maintaining or even improving electrolyzer efficiency. This initiative marks a decisive advancement towards the large-scale commercialization of truly cost-effective green hydrogen production.

Technical Details

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis stands as a highly promising technology for producing clean hydrogen utilizing renewable electricity. However, its efficiency and performance are currently heavily dependent on expensive platinum-group metals, notably iridium, which serves as the anode catalyst. Iridium’s scarcity and high market price significantly hinder the economic viability and scalability of green hydrogen production. Smoltek’s innovative nanostructured iridium catalyst layer is meticulously engineered to maximize the active surface area and intrinsic catalytic activity of iridium. This design enables a dramatic reduction in iridium loading—targeting less than 0.1 mg/cm²—without compromising, and potentially even improving, overall electrolyzer cell efficiency. The core of this technology resides in the precise design and control of materials at the nanoscale. The impending 3,000-hour durability test is paramount for thoroughly evaluating the long-term stability, degradation rate, and overall reliability of this advanced catalyst layer under conditions representative of commercial operation. Successful completion will serve as a critical milestone, demonstrating compliance with rigorous international industry standards for performance and longevity.

Strategic Impact & Outlook

The successful conclusion of the 3,000-hour durability test will be a critical validation of the technological maturity of Smoltek’s nanostructured iridium catalyst layer for commercial PEM water electrolysis applications. Upon market introduction, this technology is poised to substantially mitigate dependencies on volatile iridium supply chains and price fluctuations, leading to a dramatic reduction in the overall cost of green hydrogen production. Such a breakthrough will accelerate the decarbonization efforts across hard-to-abate sectors, including steel, chemical manufacturing, and heavy transport, by enabling a faster transition to hydrogen-fueled industrial processes. This ultra-low iridium technology is anticipated to attract significant investor interest, positioning it as a highly attractive opportunity within the sustainable energy sector. The strategic partnership between Smoltek Hydrogen and Heraeus Precious Metals is thus positioned to become a key accelerator in realizing the global green hydrogen economy, with profound potential to reshape the global energy landscape.

Source: https://www.heraeus-precious-metals.com/en/company/press-and-news/smoltek-hydrogen-and-heraeus-precious-metals-advance-next-generation-ultra-low-iridium-electrolysis-technology/

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