Heraeus Precious Metals and Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB: Strategic partnership to deliver catalysts for the hydrogen economy

Hanau, 12th January 2023

  • The partnership focuses on catalysts in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) systems and (reverse) Water-Gas-Shift (rWGS) applications
  • It will boost both companies’ standings in the emerging field of SOFCs and the hydrogen economy

Hydrogen-based technologies for power generation, such as fuel cells, are expected to play a major role in the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy. Heraeus Precious Metals and Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB have agreed on a strategic partnership to jointly develop and commercialize a variety of catalysts that are required for the operation of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). SOFCs represent a promising technology for the electrochemical conversion of hydrogen and fuels into electricity.

The portfolio will consist of catalysts for

  • the (pre-)reforming of hydrocarbons
  • the generation of syngas (H2/CO) via catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX)
  • the purification of syngas via water-gas-shift
  • preferential oxidation (PROX) and selective methanation reactions to yield pure hydrogen (H2)
  • as well as tail-gas combustion

The partnership will boost both companies’ standings in the emerging field of SOFCs and the hydrogen economy. Within the scope of the cooperation, Heraeus and Hulteberg will jointly approach clients and projects in the above-mentioned fields and commercialize new product innovations that are tailored to clients’ needs.

Process of (pre-)reforming, hydrogen purification and tail-gas combustion.
The new precious metal catalysts are being used in (pre-)reforming, hydrogen purification and tail-gas combustion.

Heraeus Precious Metals is headquartered in Hanau, Germany, and one of the world's leading suppliers of precious metal services and products. The company has significant expertise in the large-scale manufacture, development, and recycling of heterogeneous catalysts, which includes custom and toll manufacturing. In recent years, Heraeus Precious Metals has introduced numerous catalytic solutions centered around the generation (electrolysis), purification, and combustion (fuel cells) of hydrogen.

Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB is specialized in the research, development and production of heterogeneous catalysts, with a focus on hydrogen production, electronics, and renewable and recycled fuels and chemicals. Based in Malmö, Sweden, the company has valuable technical and commercial know-how relating to steam methane reforming and pre-reforming catalyst formulations that can be used in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications.

Portrait of Dominik Sperzel
Dominik Sperzel, Global Head of Sales Heterogeneous Catalysis Heraeus Precious Metals

"Through our global partnership with Hulteberg, we give our clients access to existing new product innovations for both precious metal- and base metal-based catalyst solutions. More importantly, we can combine the innovativeness of Hulteberg with the existing large-scale manufacturing capabilities of Heraeus,” emphasizes Dominik Sperzel, Global Head of Sales Heterogenous Catalysis of Heraeus Precious Metals.

Portrait of Prof. Dr. Christian Hulteberg
Prof. Dr. Christian Hulteberg, CEO and founder of Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB

“We are pleased that Heraeus is recognizing the value of our developed catalyst technology and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial collaboration in the field. It is truly a good strategic fit for both organizations,” added Prof. Dr. Christian Hulteberg, CEO and founder of Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB.

The development and commercialization of new proprietary (pre-)reforming, purification and tail-gas combustion catalyst technologies stand in alignment with both companies’ efforts to make impactful contributions towards the energy transition.

About Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB

Hulteberg Chemistry & Engineering AB’s (including the subsidiary BioFuel-Solution in Malmö AB) business is focused on environmental technology, in particular catalysis. A large portion of the effort is focused on the development of first (biodiesel) and second (hydrogen) generation transport fuels. Within these areas, the company cooperates mainly in the area of technology and market development. The company was founded in 2006 by Christian Hulteberg, holding a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Catalysis. His fields of expertise include hydrogen energy, biomass gasification as well as environmental and chemical engineering. Christian Hulteberg is a professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Lund University.

About Heraeus Precious Metals

Heraeus Precious Metals is globally leading in the precious metals industry. The company is part of the Heraeus Group and covers the value chain from trading to precious metals products to recycling. In addition to gold and silver, it also has extensive expertise in all platinum group metals.

With 2,600 employees at 15 sites worldwide, Heraeus Precious Metals offers a broad portfolio of products that are essential for many industries such as the automotive, chemicals, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, hydrogen and jewelry industry.

By 2025 Heraeus Precious Metals will be the first company in the industry that operates carbon neutral.

About Heraeus

The Heraeus Group is a broadly diversified and globally leading family-owned technology company, headquartered in Hanau, Germany. The company’s roots go back to a family pharmacy started in 1660. Today, the Heraeus Group includes businesses in the environmental, electronics, health and industrial applications sectors. Customers benefit from innovative technologies and solutions based on broad materials expertise and technological leadership.

In the 2021 financial year, the FORTUNE Global 500 listed group generated revenues of €29.5 billion (US$34.9 billion) with approximately 16,200 employees in 40 countries. Heraeus is one of the top 10 family-owned companies in Germany and holds a leading position in its global markets.