Blab Business
Evonik Begins Commercial-Scale Production of DURAION Anion-Exchange Membranes in Germany
Evonik Industries AG has turned a key milestone into reality: the Marl, North Rhine‑Westphalia pilot plant has begun producing its DURAION anion‑exchange membranes (AEM) at a scale that can support up to 2.5 GW of electrolysis capacity per year.
The Marl facility features a continuous coating line that stretches roughly 20 m and can process polymer films up to one metre wide. The line integrates raw‑material feeding, polymer casting, drying, quality inspection, and roll‑out of finished membranes. An optional fabric reinforcement can be applied to increase mechanical strength, a feature that is useful for high‑pressure electrolyser designs.
DURAION membranes are engineered for AEM electrolysis, a technology that marries alkaline chemistry with a solid polymer separator. The design permits the use of non‑precious‑metal catalysts, which can lower system costs, and it can produce hydrogen directly under pressure, potentially eliminating the need for separate compression equipment.
Evonik chose the Chemiepark Marl site for its ready access to utilities, logistics, and a skilled workforce experienced in large‑scale chemical production. The plant’s proximity to planned hydrogen pipeline networks and decarbonisation projects in North Rhine‑Westphalia also positions it strategically for the region’s hydrogen ambitions.
By producing polymer precursors, performing coating, and delivering finished membrane rolls, Evonik is pursuing a fully integrated value chain—an approach that contrasts with the fragmented supply chains typical in the sector. The company says that controlling all stages will help maintain quality, shorten lead times, and reduce the risk of material shortages for electrolyser manufacturers.
In addition to the German facility, Evonik is establishing an AEM application centre in Shanghai. The centre will support local electrolyser manufacturers in integrating DURAION membranes, validating performance under local operating conditions, and accelerating product qualification. The move aligns with China’s growing hydrogen infrastructure and fuel‑cell initiatives.
The DURAION project falls under Evonik’s New Growth Area AEM, overseen by Christian Däschlein. The company has highlighted its long‑term commitment to the hydrogen value chain and the importance of consistent performance and supply security for electrolyser OEMs.
Policy support is evident at both the European and German levels. The European Union’s hydrogen strategy and Germany’s national hydrogen plan target large‑scale electrolyser deployment by the end of the decade. Evonik has indicated that the Marl plant will be powered by low‑carbon electricity and that solvent recovery will be optimised to reduce environmental impact.
The availability of a reliable AEM membrane supply is expected to enable electrolyser OEMs to move from demonstration projects to commercial deployments. Potential applications include industrial decarbonisation (steel, chemicals, refining), power‑to‑X processes (synthetic fuels, ammonia), and distributed energy systems that pair electrolyzers with renewable power.
Investors and policymakers view the ramp‑up of membrane production as a positive signal for the commercial viability of AEM technology. The plant’s output capacity of 2.5 GW of electrolysis is intended to meet the demand for commercial AEM stacks as the market expands.
The first membrane rolls from Marl will soon be incorporated into customer stacks, where durability, performance retention, and maintenance will be evaluated. If the DURAION membranes meet performance targets, Evonik could influence the economics of green hydrogen production by bridging the gap between cost‑effective catalysts and flexible, dynamic operations.
The hydrogen sector will monitor the progress of the Marl plant and the Shanghai application centre closely as the industry seeks to expand beyond alkaline and PEM electrolyzers to include AEM as a mainstream production method.
The current status is that Evonik has begun production at the Marl pilot plant, with full commercial operation expected to support 2.5 GW of electrolysis capacity annually. The Shanghai centre is under construction, and the company plans to continue scaling membrane production as demand grows.
The Marl facility features a continuous coating line that stretches roughly 20 m and can process polymer films up to one metre wide. The line integrates raw‑material feeding, polymer casting, drying, quality inspection, and roll‑out of finished membranes. An optional fabric reinforcement can be applied to increase mechanical strength, a feature that is useful for high‑pressure electrolyser designs.
DURAION membranes are engineered for AEM electrolysis, a technology that marries alkaline chemistry with a solid polymer separator. The design permits the use of non‑precious‑metal catalysts, which can lower system costs, and it can produce hydrogen directly under pressure, potentially eliminating the need for separate compression equipment.
Evonik chose the Chemiepark Marl site for its ready access to utilities, logistics, and a skilled workforce experienced in large‑scale chemical production. The plant’s proximity to planned hydrogen pipeline networks and decarbonisation projects in North Rhine‑Westphalia also positions it strategically for the region’s hydrogen ambitions.
By producing polymer precursors, performing coating, and delivering finished membrane rolls, Evonik is pursuing a fully integrated value chain—an approach that contrasts with the fragmented supply chains typical in the sector. The company says that controlling all stages will help maintain quality, shorten lead times, and reduce the risk of material shortages for electrolyser manufacturers.
In addition to the German facility, Evonik is establishing an AEM application centre in Shanghai. The centre will support local electrolyser manufacturers in integrating DURAION membranes, validating performance under local operating conditions, and accelerating product qualification. The move aligns with China’s growing hydrogen infrastructure and fuel‑cell initiatives.
The DURAION project falls under Evonik’s New Growth Area AEM, overseen by Christian Däschlein. The company has highlighted its long‑term commitment to the hydrogen value chain and the importance of consistent performance and supply security for electrolyser OEMs.
Policy support is evident at both the European and German levels. The European Union’s hydrogen strategy and Germany’s national hydrogen plan target large‑scale electrolyser deployment by the end of the decade. Evonik has indicated that the Marl plant will be powered by low‑carbon electricity and that solvent recovery will be optimised to reduce environmental impact.
The availability of a reliable AEM membrane supply is expected to enable electrolyser OEMs to move from demonstration projects to commercial deployments. Potential applications include industrial decarbonisation (steel, chemicals, refining), power‑to‑X processes (synthetic fuels, ammonia), and distributed energy systems that pair electrolyzers with renewable power.
Investors and policymakers view the ramp‑up of membrane production as a positive signal for the commercial viability of AEM technology. The plant’s output capacity of 2.5 GW of electrolysis is intended to meet the demand for commercial AEM stacks as the market expands.
The first membrane rolls from Marl will soon be incorporated into customer stacks, where durability, performance retention, and maintenance will be evaluated. If the DURAION membranes meet performance targets, Evonik could influence the economics of green hydrogen production by bridging the gap between cost‑effective catalysts and flexible, dynamic operations.
The hydrogen sector will monitor the progress of the Marl plant and the Shanghai application centre closely as the industry seeks to expand beyond alkaline and PEM electrolyzers to include AEM as a mainstream production method.
The current status is that Evonik has begun production at the Marl pilot plant, with full commercial operation expected to support 2.5 GW of electrolysis capacity annually. The Shanghai centre is under construction, and the company plans to continue scaling membrane production as demand grows.
