Hannover Messe

Trade Fair / April 20, 2026 - April 24, 2026

We present our production research and system analysis on hydrogen technologies.

For over 30 years, we have been supporting the development of climate-neutral industrial processes and sustainable mobility through the development of hydrogen technologies.

Visit us at Hannover Messe:

Discover our technology and service portfolio
- Innovative Production Processes for the MEAs of Fuel Cells and Electrolysers. Fraunhofer ISE has unique industrial-scale production facilities that enable cutting-edge MEA production research, including microstructural analysis and electrochemical in-situ characterization of MEAs on the test bench. This enables rapid transfer from the laboratory to production.
- Expertise to Drive the Ramp-Up of Hydrogen-Based Energy Systems. Fraunhofer ISE simulates, optimizes, and evaluates sustainable PtX systems from technological, economic, and ecological perspectives—identifying optimal sites and designing efficient production, storage and transports solutions.
Join us for inspiring discussions.

We look forward to exchanging ideas with you!

Event details

Location

Hannover Fair ground
Messegelände
hall 11, booth E 11
30521 Hannover (Germany)

Date

April 20, 2026 - April 24, 2026

Download this event as iCal

Organization

Hannover Messe, Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe

Our Presentations

April 20, 3:20-3:40 p.m.

Public Forum, Hall 11

Decarbonizing Fossil Value Chains as a Bridging Strategy for the Global Energy System Transformation

Interview
Prof. Dr. Christopher Hebling, Director International

April 21, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Hydrogen Materials and Production Research

Masterclass, Hall 11

Roll-to-Roll MEA Production: The Key to Scaling Fuel Cell and Electrolyser Technology?

Presentation
Ulf Groos, Head of Department Fuel Cell

--> Registration

April 21, 3:40-4:00 p.m.

Public Forum, Hall 11

Chemical energy carriers as part of a sustainable resilience strategy

Interview
Dr. Elias Frei, Director Division Hydrogen Technologies

Our Exhibits

The Fraunhofer ISE status will focus on innovative solutions and product developments in the fields of Production of Fuel Cell and Electrolysis Membrane Electrode Assemblies and Analysis of Hydrogen Model Regions. Our experts look forward to presenting our multi-layered portfolio of innovations and services that support the upscaling of hydrogen technologies.

Series Production of Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Membranes

MEA-Production: printing technologies — © Fraunhofer ISE / Dirk Mahler
At Fraunhofer ISE, different printing technologies are available to produce catalyst layers: screen printing, slot die coating, inkjet printing, flexographic and gravure printing.

Fraunhofer ISE offers its customers the investigation of different processes for the production of electrolysis and fuel cell MEAs from laboratory to industrial scale. The researchers have a deep understanding of process and ink development for various coating processes, including rheological characterization, surface characterization of catalyst layers and detection of defects. They are able to flexibly adapt manufacturing processes to different materials and surfaces to be coated.

At the Hannover Messe, we will demonstrate the design of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for electrolysis and mobile fuel cells that can be manufactured using screen printing or slot die processes with commercially available materials. The process parameters identified in the laboratory for the differently manufactured MEAs for PEM fuel cells and electrolyzers provide the basis for scaling up in roll-to-roll manufacturing. Learn how it is possible to achieve flexible catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) production and process development that can be adapted to different materials!

Research and development services for:

MEA manufacturers
Stack manufacturers
Coating system providers
Material suppliers (ionomer, catalyst powder)

More info

Optimized Microporous Transport Layers for PEM Electrolysis

Mikroporöse Schicht auf einem Titanfasersubrat nach dem Siebdruckprozess — © Fraunhofer ISE / Joscha Feuerstein
Microporous layer on a titanium fiber substrate after screen printing. The reduced surface roughness of the microporous layer allows for reduced catalyst loading with iridium, cost reduction and thinner membranes.

Proton exchange membranes (PEM) are one of the most promising technologies for the production of green hydrogen by electrolysis. To reduce the material and manufacturing costs for PEM electrolyzers, Fraunhofer ISE is researching scalable production processes for catalyst-coated membranes (CCM).

At the Hannover Messe, we will present microporous transport layers (MPL), which have been produced for the first time in a scalable manner on standard industrial screen printing systems. The approx. 20 µm fine MPLs enable the use of catalyst layers with significantly reduced iridium loading (ultra-low loading), as they considerably improve catalyst binding and thus utilization. They also simplify the use of thinner membranes so that ohmic losses can be reduced.

Research and development services for:

Stack manufacturers
CCM producers
Suppliers of porous coating materials (PTL)
Material suppliers (catalyst powder, titanium powder)
Suppliers of coating machines
Research institutes

Press Release

Hydrogen Infrastructure

© Fraunhofer ISE
Optimal placement and scaling of electrolyzers: Fraunhofer ISE identifies and analyzes hydrogen model regions through geographic information systems (GIS).

The scientists use geographical information systems (GIS) to locate and analyze hydrogen model regions. Using techno-economic analyses, they develop and evaluate customized solutions for the production of clean hydrogen from renewable energies, its efficient storage and demand-oriented distribution. They prepare feasibility analyses of hydrogen projects, calculations for the design and optimization of electrolyzers, output forecasts and life cycle analyses.

At the Hannover Messe the 3D exhibit “Hydrogen Model Region” models a local, self-contained world with regional hydrogen production, distribution and storage and showcases the comprehensive expertise across the entire value chain of the department Hydrogen Technologies at Fraunhofer ISE.

Research and development services for:

Port operators / logisticians
Project planners in general
Industry in general
Public transport operators
Municipalities / cities

More info

More information

Business Area

Hydrogen Technologies

More Info

Research Topic

Electrolysis and Hydrogen Infrastructure

More Info

Research Topic

Fuel Cell

More Info

Trade Fair

Trade Fair / April 20, 2026 - April 24, 2026

Hannover Messe

We present our production research and system analysis on hydrogen technologies.

We look forward to exchanging ideas with you!

Visit us at booth E 11 in hall 11!

Event details

Location

Organization

Our Presentations

Decarbonizing Fossil Value Chains as a Bridging Strategy for the Global Energy System Transformation

Roll-to-Roll MEA Production: The Key to Scaling Fuel Cell and Electrolyser Technology?

Chemical energy carriers as part of a sustainable resilience strategy

Our Exhibits

Series Production of Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Membranes

Research and development services for:

Your contact person

Linda Ney

Optimized Microporous Transport Layers for PEM Electrolysis

Research and development services for:

Your contact person

Stefan Bercher

Hydrogen Infrastructure

Research and development services for:

Your contact person

Jochen Behrens

More information

Hydrogen Technologies

Electrolysis and Hydrogen Infrastructure

Fuel Cell