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Chemours and Partners Selected for $60M in U.S. Department of Energy Grants To Support Continued Advancement of Global Hydrogen Economy

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Chemours Company secures $60 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance next-generation membranes for PEM water electrolysis and establish a circularity infrastructure for clean hydrogen materials. The grants support projects aimed at developing cost-effective and durable ionomers and membranes, contributing to the advancement of the hydrogen economy and sustainability goals.
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The announcement of the Department of Energy's $60 million grant to Chemours signals a significant investment in the clean hydrogen sector, which has implications for the broader energy market. Clean hydrogen is gaining traction as an alternative energy source and advancements in technology could lead to more efficient production, storage and transportation, potentially reducing costs and enhancing competitiveness against fossil fuels. The focus on durable, high-performance membranes for PEM water electrolysis addresses a critical bottleneck in hydrogen production—electrolyzer efficiency and longevity.

For investors and stakeholders, this development could indicate a strategic positioning of Chemours within the hydrogen economy, potentially leading to long-term growth as the demand for clean energy solutions rises. However, the scalability and commercial viability of these innovations remain to be seen, as the hydrogen market is still maturing. The collaboration with public, private and academic partners could be a key differentiator, leveraging expertise and resources to accelerate development.

Chemours' involvement in the H2CIRC consortium and its focus on circularity for fuel cells and electrolyzers is an essential step towards sustainable clean energy practices. Circularity in the hydrogen economy is not just an environmental imperative but also an economic one, as it can lead to cost savings and resource efficiency in the long run. The creation of a blueprint for material recovery and recycling in the hydrogen industry is a proactive measure that could set industry standards and encourage other players to adopt similar practices.

For the market, this move towards circularity could enhance Chemours' reputation as a sustainability leader, potentially attracting investors who are increasingly concerned with environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. However, the implementation of such circular systems will require significant R&D and operational changes, which may affect short-term profitability. The long-term benefits, though, could include reduced material costs and improved resilience of supply chains.

The financial implications of the DOE's grants for Chemours are multifaceted. On one hand, the influx of $60 million earmarked for advancing hydrogen technology could bolster Chemours' R&D capabilities without diluting shareholder value, as it's non-dilutive funding. On the other hand, the actual impact on Chemours' financials will depend on the efficient allocation of these funds and the successful commercialization of the technologies developed. Investors should monitor the company's progress in achieving the project milestones and the broader market adoption of PEM electrolysis technology.

The grants also reflect a broader governmental support for the hydrogen industry, which could signal a favorable regulatory environment for future growth. However, investors should be cautious and consider the competitive landscape, as other companies may also receive similar grants, potentially leveling the playing field. The long-term success of Chemours in this area will likely hinge on its ability to innovate and scale up production while managing costs effectively.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 21, 2024 / The Chemours Company

Two project grants will support development of next-generation membranes for PEM water electrolysis and developing a circularity infrastructure for clean hydrogen materials

Chemours, a global chemistry company, announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, selected two of its applications for grants totaling $60 million. These grants will be used by Chemours and its partners for the advancement of technology to support next-generation membranes for proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis to advance a domestic hydrogen economy supply chain and establish a new Recovery and Recycling Consortium dedicated to enabling the circularity of PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells. These selections validate Chemours' leadership and expertise as a responsible manufacturer of high-quality, durable ionomers and membranes.

Chemours is the lead recipient on a project entitled "Durable, High-Performance Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis", where the company will leverage its technical expertise to develop a low-resistance Nafion™ membrane that demonstrates high levels of durability in a PEM electrolyzer stack. The project's goals include creating products that can be manufactured cost-effectively at scale, a significant challenge the hydrogen industry faces today. Chemours was also named a project partner in H2CIRC, a new consortium dedicated to producing a blueprint for the hydrogen industry to efficiently and sustainably recover and recycle materials and components from fuel cells and electrolyzers.

"Chemours is committed to using the power of its chemistry to advance the clean energy transition and hydrogen economy. Selection by the U.S. Department of Energy for these grants furthers our leading role and builds on the public, private, and academic partnerships whose collaborative efforts support the global adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source," said Stefanie Kopchick, Hydrogen Business Venture Leader at Chemours. "Our Nafion™ ion exchange membranes play a critical role in driving the hydrogen economy and helping to create a more sustainable future, and these funds will help to accelerate their further development as well as taking a proactive approach to building an infrastructure supporting circularity of fuel cells and electrolyzers."

The grants announced by the DOE under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are part of $750 million in funding for projects to advance hydrogen technologies and improve manufacturing and recycling capabilities for clean hydrogen systems and components. The funding directly supports the national clean hydrogen strategy outlined in the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap which emphasizes cost reduction, manufacturing, supply chains, and domestic jobs.

"At Chemours, our advanced chemistry and technology are at the heart of the hydrogen economy and essential to producing and deploying clean hydrogen," said Gerardo Familiar, President of Advanced Performance Materials at Chemours. "We have a unique place in the hydrogen supply chain as the leading global supplier of ionomers and membranes for PEM electrolysis, the only domestic manufacturer of ion exchange materials, and a key project partner in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) under the U.S. DOE's Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub initiative. As such, we must look further into the future and take a responsible approach to building and maintaining this evolving industry. Enabling the circularity of the materials necessary to produce clean hydrogen well into the future will be essential to this effort and aligns with our longstanding sustainability values."

To learn more about the recent hydrogen funding selections and grants, visit the DOE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Office.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Chemours Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: The Chemours Company
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/chemours-company
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: The Chemours Company



View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is the total amount of grants secured by Chemours from the U.S. Department of Energy?

Chemours secured grants totaling $60 million from the U.S. Department of Energy.

What are the projects supported by the grants received by Chemours?

The grants support projects focused on developing next-generation membranes for PEM water electrolysis and establishing a circularity infrastructure for clean hydrogen materials.

What is the project title in which Chemours is the lead recipient?

Chemours is the lead recipient in the project titled 'Durable, High-Performance Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis.'

What is the goal of the project led by Chemours?

The project aims to develop a low-resistance Nafion™ membrane that demonstrates high durability in a PEM electrolyzer stack, addressing the challenge of cost-effective manufacturing at scale in the hydrogen industry.

What is the purpose of the H2CIRC consortium in which Chemours is a project partner?

H2CIRC is dedicated to producing a blueprint for the hydrogen industry to efficiently recover and recycle materials and components from fuel cells and electrolyzers, promoting sustainability.

The Chemours Company

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