Hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyser recycling
At JM, we’re in a unique position that spans the fuel cell and electrolyser value chain in a circular ecosystem, making it easy for you to work with us. As the largest platinum group metal (PGM) recycler (by volume), and with a global network of long-term partnerships, we offer a sustainable and secure supply of PGMs.
Using our recycling expertise, we’re applying our longstanding knowledge to emerging PGM technologies, including catalyst coated membranes (CCMs) used in fuel cell and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser stacks that will enable the hydrogen economy. We have an established route to recycle these materials, where we process the entire stack to maximise the PGM recovery and return to customers. And our new HyRefineTM technology is being developed to recycle both the PGMs and valuable ionomer.
Establishing circularity for fuel cells and electrolysers
With exceptional refining capabilities, we can recover the precious metals from the entire life cycle of the fuel cells - from production to destruction. Using our complex processes, we extract the PGMs from membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and fuel cell stacks, then refine them to a very high purity.
We use complex sampling processes and analytical methods during the evaluation stage, processing the entire stack to generate a homogeneous sample for full analysis. Then using accurate assaying techniques – ones that are proven and trusted - we’re able to yield a true representation of the entire material and determine the exact amount of PGM content you have.
Once refined, metal will be returned to begin its lifecycle again. Our optimised process allows us to recover PGMs quickly, efficiently, and securely. From initial material analysis to comprehensive metal management services, we guide and advise you at each step of the process.
HyRefineTM technology for recycling catalyst coated membrane (CCMs)
As the hydrogen economy takes off, embedding circularity is critical to conserve precious resources and minimise the environmental impact of manufacturing fuel cells and electrolysers. While there are established routes to recycle the platinum group metals (PGMs) from these materials, often the ionomer isn’t recovered. Through our new HyRefineTM technology we’ve successfully demonstrated circularity for the PGMs and the valuable ionomer together.
Our researchers have proven at lab scale that both the PGMs and the ionomer can be recovered and recycled into a new CCMs. Separate experiments have confirmed that the recycled PGM catalysts match the performance of fresh material.
Using a purely chemical process, the HyRefine technology offers efficiency and sustainability benefits over conventional PGM refining.
Processing only fuel cell and electrolyser material, our bespoke HyRefine technology provides additional traceability of the critical PGMs. The metal output from this process will be 100% secondary (recycled). Secondary metal has up to a 98% lower carbon footprint than primary (mined) metal, offering significant sustainability benefits. This recycled PGM can then be seamlessly integrated into PGM catalyst production and subsequent CCM manufacturing.
Following successful 5 litre lab scale demonstrations, we’re now scaling up this technology to run 50 litre pilot trials in our Brimsdown (UK) facility.
