Evonik has strengthened its global footprint into the rapidly expanding green hydrogen sector.
The company has opened a new Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) application technology center in Shanghai, designed to test and optimize its high-performance DURAION membranes under real-world operating conditions.
The new Evonik AEM Center Shanghai is the company’s first facility of its kind in the region and marks a significant step in expanding its hydrogen technology capabilities across Asia.
The center will focus on validating and integrating DURAION membranes, which are manufactured at commercial scale in Marl, Germany, to ensure they meet the performance requirements of local customers and applications.
“With the establishment of the Evonik AEM Center Shanghai, we are significantly strengthening our ability to address the rapidly growing hydrogen-applications market in China - and also beyond,” says Jack Zhang, Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific, High Performance Polymers business line.
"Being close to customers and partners allows us to better align our AEM technology with market needs, accelerate adoption, and scale up hydrogen solutions for commercialization worldwide.”
Beyond testing, the facility will serve as a collaborative innovation hub, bringing together Evonik experts and regional partners to tackle technical challenges across the AEM electrolysis value chain and accelerate the deployment of next-generation hydrogen technologies.
“The AEM center plays a key role in the continued advancement of our AEM technology,” says Ryan Liu, Director Strategic Projects and Head of RD&I Greater China, “It will enable faster development cycles for DURAION® membranes and also a deeper understanding of AEM-based electrolysis systems as a whole.”
Built on Evonik’s expertise in polymer chemistry, membrane technologies and electrochemical materials, the center houses specialized laboratories equipped with demonstration-scale electrolysis testing capabilities. Advanced electrolyzer test benches will allow engineers to evaluate membrane performance and long-term durability under actual operating conditions.
The facility supports the full validation pathway, from single-cell testing through to demonstration-scale systems, helping pave the way for broader industrial deployment of DURAION® membranes in AEM electrolysis applications.
AEM electrolysis is emerging as a promising route for producing green hydrogen from water. Compared with other electrolysis technologies, it offers greater flexibility in power supply and potentially lower capital costs through the use of less expensive materials.
“The energy transition is accelerating, with green hydrogen from AEM technology as a key potential for defossilizing industry and transportation,” says Fuliang Xia, President of Evonik Greater China.
“The Evonik AEM Center Shanghai will strengthen Evonik’s contribution towards this goal, by optimizing our DURAION anion exchange membranes in one of the world’s most dynamic markets for climate-neutral hydrogen applications and water electrolysis technologies.”
The launch underscores Evonik’s growing commitment to advancing hydrogen technologies and supporting the global transition toward low-carbon industrial and transportation systems.
