Schaeffler Leads Innovation in Industrial-Scale Hydrogen Production

• Schaeffler leads the “Stack Scale up – Industrialising PEM Electrolysis” sub‑project of the H₂Giga flagship, driving the transition to large‑scale hydrogen production.
• The sub‑project focuses on scalable technologies and manufacturing processes for low‑temperature PEM electrolysis stacks.
• Schaeffler’s deep expertise in production technology and electrochemistry gives it a decisive edge in the growing market.

The green hydrogen value chain is a pathway to a carbon‑neutral, sustainable future, and Schaeffler’s technologies power both ends—fuel‑cell applications and electrolyser production.

“One of the key milestones on the road to a clean energy chain based on green hydrogen is the ability to produce hydrogen on an industrial scale,” said Dr. Stefan Spindler, CEO Industrial at Schaeffler and a member of Germany’s National Hydrogen Council. Thanks to its technological capabilities, Schaeffler is well positioned to act as a strategic partner at many stages in this process, for example by providing products for electrolysis stacks.

Dr. Stefan Spindler, CEO Industrial at Schaeffler and German National Hydrogen Council member: “Thanks to its technological capabilities, Schaeffler is well positioned to act as a strategic partner at many stages.”

Hydrogen Strategic Business Unit – Industrial Division

Schaeffler’s Roadmap 2025 highlights the vast opportunities of green hydrogen. As an integrated automotive and industrial supplier, Schaeffler leverages cross‑disciplinary collaboration to develop and manufacture technologies for the hydrogen sector.

The Industrial division’s Hydrogen Strategic Business Unit coordinates all hydrogen activities. “We have long supplied components and services essential to the reliable, cost‑effective production of renewable energy, particularly wind energy,” says Bernd Hetterscheidt, head of the unit. This close alignment with the systems generating the green electricity used for electrolysis, combined with our expertise in scalable production and electrochemistry, positions us to succeed in the market.

H₂Giga: Industrialising Water Electrolysis

H₂Giga brings together more than 130 companies and research institutions, backed by €500 million in funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project aims to develop systems and methods for the industrial production of electrolyser components, making green hydrogen widely available and cost‑effective.

Schaeffler is consortium lead for the sub‑project “Stack Scale up – Industrialising PEM Electrolysis.” With nine industry and research partners, the sub‑project accelerates the development of stack technologies and large‑scale production processes for low‑temperature electrolysis core components.

Schaeffler’s core strengths—materials engineering, forming, surface technology, and electrochemistry—will drive new product and solution development. Its industrialisation expertise will translate these innovations quickly into mass production.

https://www.schaeffler.com

About us

Schaeffler Group – We pioneer motion

For more than 70 years, Schaeffler has been a leading global supplier to the automotive and industrial sectors, driving innovations in motion and mobility. With cutting‑edge technologies for CO₂‑efficient drives, electric mobility, Industry 4.0, digitalisation and renewable energies, Schaeffler is a trusted partner for smarter, more sustainable motion.

Manufacturing high‑precision components for drivetrains, chassis, rolling and plain bearings, Schaeffler’s €14 billion turnover and 84,000 employees make it one of the world’s largest family companies. In 2019, it filed 2,400 patent applications, ranking as Germany’s second most innovative company (DPMA).

Where we supply to

UK, Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America

Industries we supply to

Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Electronics, Energy & Power, Food & Beverage, Glass/Ceramics/Cement, Metals & Minerals, OEM, Paper & Pulp, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Plastics & Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water & Wastewater