Umicore expands production capacity for fuel cell catalysts

Umicore announced today that it will be expanding its production capacity for fuel cell catalysts in South-Korea to support the growth of Hyundai Motors Group as well as other automotive customers. 

The low double-digit million euro investment entails the construction of a new production plant close to Umicore’s technology development centre near Seoul. The new plant will be commissioned towards the end of 2019 and is expected to be fully ramped up by the end of 2020. The selected site allows for further expansions beyond 2020. With this production footprint expansion in South-Korea and the existing production capacity in Hanau, Germany, Umicore is well placed to serve the growing demand from its automotive customers globally.

In the move to cleaner mobility, fuel cell drivetrains are gaining traction as an environmentally friendly alternative to combustion engines, with the technology maturity now demonstrated and commercial scale programs being launched by several car OEMs.

Umicore has developed a complete and competitive portfolio of product technologies for fuel cell catalysts and has entered into close collaboration agreements with leading OEMs for existing car platforms as well as future development programs.

Pascal Reymondet, EVP Catalysis, commented: "Today’s announcement underlines Umicore’s commitment to further strengthen its unique position in the technology portfolio and roadmap for clean mobility materials, being the only company worldwide offering at commercial scale the full spectrum of materials technologies to drive the transition to cleaner mobility."