Pilots

Pilot Overview

Low platinum Catalyst coated membrane for cost-effective, High-performance Fuel cells

MagPower™

The Buyer  manufactures hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems for zero-emission applications in aviation, maritime transport, and data centers. The heart of these systems is the Catalyst-Coated Membrane (CCM), which relies on platinum as a catalyst to convert hydrogen and air into electricity. However, platinum accounts for 40–55% of the total stack cost posing challenges for production increase. The goal of this challenge is to significantly lower the amount of platinum required in fuel cell CCMs.

Open call

OC2 EIC Awardees

Sector

Hydrogen

Buyer information

EH Group Engineering AG

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Switzerland, EH Group Engineering develops advanced hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems for AI Data Centers and Defense. EH Group delivers the power that the AI revolution runs on.

Solver information

Naco Technologies SIA

Naco is a specialized provider of advanced nano-coatings powered by its proprietary High-Speed Magnetron Sputtering (HMS) technology—a process extensively tested and validated by industry customers. Naco’s protective and catalytic coating solutions serve as a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, significantly reducing precious-metal consumption while simultaneously enhancing component efficiency, durability, and operational longevity.

Solution

Naco Technologies provides a dry, energy-efficient High-Speed Magnetron Sputtering (HMS) process to produce Catalyst Coated Membranes (CCMs) for fuel cells, offering a green alternative to traditional, inefficient ink-based and wet-chemical coating methods. 

By directly depositing ultra-thin, nanometer-precise platinum layers onto membranes in a vacuum, Naco significantly reduces expensive precious metal loading while maintaining high electrochemical performance. Through a validation program, Naco will supply these optimized CCMs to help the Buyer meet or exceed durability standards and achieve critical cost reductions required for expanding into heavy-duty transport and stationary power sectors.

Pilot specific details

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€123.4M

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38 SMEs

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60.000€

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50 Pilots

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Testimonials

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COMPANY

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Results

€123.4M

Lorem ipsum

38 SMEs

Lorem ipsum

60.000€

Lorem ipsum

50 Pilots

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus ligula elit, suscipit eget gravida ut, vehicula et quam. Nam dolor lectus, sollicitudin eget pulvinar ac, vestibulum sit amet leo. Cras ut lacinia purus. Ut vitae tincidunt elit, dignissim dignissim eros. Integer viverra imperdiet magna ac sodales. Phasellus tristique gravida justo, eget finibus enim egestas sit amet. Mauris maximus ligula sem. Morbi feugiat eget felis ac placerat. Aenean sit amet quam in dolor efficitur imperdiet vitae eu dolor.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus ligula elit, suscipit eget gravida ut, vehicula et quam. Nam dolor lectus, sollicitudin eget pulvinar ac, vestibulum sit amet leo. Cras ut lacinia purus. Ut vitae tincidunt elit, dignissim dignissim eros. Integer viverra imperdiet magna ac sodales. Phasellus tristique gravida justo, eget finibus enim egestas sit amet. Mauris maximus ligula sem. Morbi feugiat eget felis ac placerat. Aenean sit amet quam in dolor efficitur imperdiet vitae eu dolor.