Umicore, Solvay join forces to develop and supply Core Technology for Fuel Cell industry

10-Mar-2006

Umicore and Solvay have reached an agreement in principle to join forces in the research, development, production and sales of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) and related compounds, to be used in Fuel Cell (FC) applications.

The 50-50 percent joint venture (JV), named SolviCore, will be based in Hanau, at Umicore's main R&D site in Germany. It is expected to become fully operational on 1 July 2006 and will employ 34 people in the first stage of its development.

Umicore and Solvay have the ambition to play a major role in this emerging technology. In the joint venture they will assemble electrocatalysts with polymer membranes to develop and manufacture the Membrane Electrode Assembly, the reactor where hydrogen reacts with oxygen to generate electricity.

The parent companies will continue their respective activities in catalysts and membranes in full ownership, outside of the JV.

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