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UFI Hydrogen S.R.L. (IT14)
IT14 R2RMEA
The R2RMEA project is led by UFI Hydrogen S.p.A., a tech-company within the UFI Filters group that focuses on research, development, and industrial manufacturing to advance green hydrogen technologies.
UFI Hydrogen specialises in the development and industrialisation of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs), a strategic component used in both fuel cell systems for zero-emission mobility and water electrolysers for green hydrogen production. Future applications of the UFI MEAs will also cover the hydrogen electrochemical compression and the production of e-Fuels via CO2 conversion.
The primary goal of the R2RMEA project is to enable large-scale commercialisation of fuel cell technology through the deployment of a flexible roll-to-roll MEA manufacturing process. This approach supports the broader adoption of hydrogen-powered solutions, applied in Mobility (Transport, Trains, Aviation, Marine, Drones) and Stationary (Power Backup such as Data Centers, Off-Grid Solutions).
The project aims to achieve both technological innovation and industrial scalability, with three core objectives:
1) enhancing Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) MEAs for fuel cell applications to improve both performance and cost-efficiency;
2) developing advanced MEAs for Electrochemical Hydrogen Compressors (ECHCs) to support high-efficiency heat pump systems in electric vehicles;
3) integrating advanced cathode filtration systems with real-time monitoring to reduce MEA degradation and extend their operational lifespan.
A strong emphasis is placed on environmental and economic sustainability. Key priorities include minimising the use of rare and costly metals, and replacing fluorinated polymers with more environmentally friendly alternatives, aligning innovation with principles of circular economy and low-impact manufacturing.
The project is primarily carried out at UFI Hydrogen’s research laboratories and industrial facility in Serravalle (Trentino, Italy), with certain activities conducted in collaboration with Italian and European partners.
The R2RMEA project began in January 2022, and the roll-to-roll MEA production plant is expected to become fully operational by the end of 2027.
Contact person:
Mara Guidi
ufih2project@ufihydrogen.com
