DOE Selects AIChE to Lead $50 Million Hydrogen Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Recycling Consortium Initiative.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) to lead the New Hydrogen Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Recycling Consortium (H CIRC), a consortium charged with developing innovative approaches to recover, recycle, and reuse materials and components for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers. Funding will be provided through federal funding for the consortium, which includes $50 million over five years. Additional funding is being awarded for projects such as low-cost electrolyzer manufacturing, high-throughput electrolyzer component and supply chain development, advanced technology and component development, and advanced manufacturing of fuel cell assemblies and stacks. The consortium partners include Accelera by Cummins, Delaware State University, General Motors, LLC, Heraeus Precious Metals, Johnson Matthey, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Nel Hydrogen; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Plug Power; The Chemours Company, University of Delaware; University of Houston; and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The announcement represents the first phase of implementation of two provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, authorizing $1 billion for research, development (RDD&D) activities and technologies for manufacturing and recycling clean hydrogen systems and materials.