Spanish electrocatalyst producer Matteco will deploy Dunia Innovations’ (Dunia) “AI-guided experimentation platform” to improve electrolyser catalyst layers affecting efficiency and reliability.

Berlin-based Dunia says its technology can test and compare material options for catalysts quickly and consistently, enabling reliable and scalable electrocatalyst production.

The collaboration looks to build on Matteco’s production of PGM-free catalysts and potentially unlock “disproportionate” system-level gains from even small improvements, resulting in lower costs.

Co-founder and CTO of Matteco, Dr Gonzalo Abellán, said the partnership will allow it to accelerate at “unprecedented speed and precision…[towards] industrial-ready solutions”.

AEM electrolysis is generally seen as nascent with complexity and susceptibility to degradation, leaving it at a relatively unproven stage compared to PEM.

If durability issues are cracked, AEM’s use of cheaper, non-PGM catalysts could make for long-term cost reductions.

In 2024, Matteco raised €15m ($18m) to ramp up production of its electrocatalysts at its facility in Valencia.

It is also supplying catalysts and electrodes to Spanish alkaline electrolyser firm Ariema Enerxía under a project backed by €1.4m of government funding.