Syensqo and Johnson Matthey have demonstrated a viable pathway to recover and reuse platinum group metals (PGMs) and ionomers from proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and electrolyzer components without compromising performance. The results, published in a new joint white paper, confirm kilogram-scale recovery of valuable materials from industrial scrap catalyst coated membranes (CCMs), and their reintegration into new membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), marking a key step toward material circularity in these systems.

PEM technology plays a central role in the hydrogen economy, combining high efficiency with responsiveness to renewable power fluctuations. It relies on PGMs as catalysts and fluorinated ionomers for proton conduction in membranes and catalyst layers, including Syensqo’s Aquivion® technology, widely used in high-performance applications.

To address this challenge, Johnson Matthey designed their HyRefine™ process, a purely route to recycle PGMs without incineration of the polymer. In parallel, Syensqo has developed a complementary approach to extract, purify and recondition ionomers for reuse. Together, the two processes achieve high recovery yields and maintain material integrity, offering potential carbon footprint reductions of up to 80% compared with conventional routes relying on virgin material.

Across the hydrogen value chain, Syensqo supports fuel cell and electrolyzer manufacturers with advanced ionomer and fluorinated material solutions designed for efficiency, durability and chemical stability. By integrating recovery expertise with its established materials portfolio, Syensqo reinforces its role in enabling high-performance PEM technologies.