Closed

Simultaneous ionomer and iridium recycling

HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions

Basic Information

Identifier: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-01
Programme: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025
Programme Period: 2021 - 2027
Status: Closed (31094503)
Opening Date: January 30, 2025
Deadline: April 23, 2025
Deadline Model: single-stage
Budget: €184,500,000
Min Grant Amount: €1,000,000
Max Grant Amount: €1,000,000
Expected Number of Grants: 1
Keywords: HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-01HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025HydrogenSustainable design (for recycling, for environment, eco-design)

Description

Expected Outcome:

Low-carbon hydrogen, produced via methods such as proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), offers a promising alternative to fossil fuel consumption in various energy sectors. However, the practical implementation of the clean energy transition requires: (i) sustainable supplies of critical raw materials such as platinum group metals (PGMs) and (ii) strategic processed materials such as fluoropolymers. Increasing material recycling rates can: (i) reduce environmental impact, (ii) enhance production efficiency, and (iii) create new jobs. These outcomes are aligned with the European Commission’s goal to strengthen European value chains. Additionally, the European Commission and industry stakeholders aim to increase electrolyser manufacturing capacities tenfold by 2025 to support the EU’s target of 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen production by 2030 (REPowerEU)^[1].

The core and key component of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWEs) is the catalyst-coated membrane (CCM). To facilitate water splitting into its constituent elements (i.e., hydrogen and oxygen), iridium (Ir)-based catalysts at the anode, platinum-based electrocatalysts at the cathode, and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) are utilised. Furthermore, state-of-the-art membranes are based on perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers.

Currently, no viable alternatives to Ir as an electrocatalyst provide the same efficiency and durability under the high-voltage and acidic conditions prevalent in PEMWE. The implications for Ir demand can be significant if PEMWE anodes with a low loading of Ir and improved collection systems for end-of-life Ir-containing materials from other industries are not developed^[2].

Another crucial component of PEMWEs is the proton exchange membrane, which is used as a barrier between anode and cathode and selectively allows the migration of protons. Currently, no technologically mature alternatives to replace PFSA-based membranes in PEM technologies can meet the required industrial targets (e.g., performance, durability, lifetime, and industrial scaling). PFSAs are also used in the formulation of the electrocatalytic layers. Currently, the end-of-life (EoL) path for PFSA materials is incineration in dedicated ovens, which destroys the valuable ionomer in the process and requires scrubbers to handle the highly corrosive fluor acids in the exhaust fumes. Recycling the polymer at EoL is crucial to minimise environmental impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and reduce the CO₂ footprint of end of life (EoL) stacks by providing a second life for the ionomer. Therefore, this topic aims to contribute to the industrial solutions for addressing emerging environmental concerns and regulations related to fluorinated materials in the long term.

Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

Contributing to the EU’s net-zero strategy by providing technological guidelines for recycling Ir and the PFSA ionomer;
Demonstrating the ability to alleviate potential Critical Raw Material (CRM) shortages and increased supply chain resilience for PEMWE manufacturing in the EU;
Developing standardised test method(s) for evaluating EoL PFSA ionomer and Ir.

Project results are expected to contribute to the following objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPI) of the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (JU) Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)^[3]:

Minimum CRMs/PGMs (other than Pt) recycled from scraps and wastes (30% by 2024, 50% by 2030);
Minimum ionomer recycled from scraps and wastes (70% by 2024, 80% by 2030).

Project results are expected to contribute to the following objectives:

Analyse the effectiveness and efficiency of Ir recycling technologies with respect to costs and environment;
Minimum purity thresholds for recycled ionomer that will be used in electrochemical, hydrogen-related applications: >99,5%. Bivalent Metal Ions (Fenton-metals) impurities < 15 ppm and other impurities < 500 ppm;
Performance and durability of a membrane produced from mixed sources to be comparable to a state-of-the-art reference assessed within PEMWE applications;
Delivery of viable test methods to assess the degradation state of end-of-life materials;
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) of both (Ir, ionomer) recycling routes.

Scope:

This topic aims at simultaneously recycling Ir and ionomers after catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) separation from the PEMWE stack at the EoL and/or from scraps and waste. The novelty and contribution of this topic is to understand the impact of the separation process of the waste stream on the ionomer and PGMs (possible impurities, degradation of the polymer’s molecular structure, change in physical/chemical properties, performance, etc.). This fundamental understanding of material degradation is crucial for optimising their quality before their re-use in PEMWE cells to ensure sustainable circularity. Recycling efforts are also being pursued in projects, such as SUSTAINCELL^[4] and BEST4Hy^[5]. The critical difference is that the BEST4Hy project targets fuel cell technologies and platinum only, while this topic focuses on PEMWE technology, specifically addressing the recycling of Ir and the ionomer. Further, the project funded by this call can contribute to and be complemented by EU-funded projects on sustainable hydrogen production, such as CLEANHYPRO^[6] and H2SHIFT^[7]. CLEANHYPRO could facilitate (partial) testing within the scope of the open innovation test bed whereas H2SHIFT could complement in the need of a techno-economic analysis.

The scope of the project should include:

Development of new measurement technologies for characterising the degradation state of ionomer in both the PEM and the electrocatalytic layers;
Assessment of physical-chemical properties of membranes from recycled ionomer and mesoscale morphology;
Development of new methods to separate the ionomer;
Manufacturing of CCMs with Ir and recycled ionomer from production waste, and assessment of their beginning-of-life performance and durability via accelerated stress tests (ASTs) in PEM water electrolysis single cell or short stacks (>1000 hrs cell test and comparison to a short stack comprising of a virgin ionomer membrane)^[8];
Evaluation and demonstration of the feasibility of the developed recycling processes through techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment;
Evaluation of the possibility of mixing different ionomers (e.g., recycled ionomer with virgin ionomer, different chemistries, etc.) for their application in catalyst layers, membranes, and alternative applications;
Manufacturing and testing of membranes from a blend of fluoropolymers from different sources in PEMWE cells, focusing on hydrogen gas crossover, performance and tolerance to accelerated ageing;
Evaluation of the performance of recycled ionomer in a laboratory scale environment (e.g., 0.5-10 grams of ionomer); in-situ cell testing and ex-situ testing (scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile testing, swelling behaviour in water, equivalent weight (EW), study of the electrical response) compared to virgin ionomer;
Evaluation of the quality of production waste and EoL ionomer batches (e.g., 50-500 g) by:
- Using the recycled ionomer in the catalyst layer and membrane of PEMWE cells;
- Analysing of ionomer performance both ex-situ and in cells with accelerated stress testing;
- Developing new measuring methods for determining ionomer degradation state;
- Enable short stack testing for at least 1000 h comprising of the recycled ionomer.
Verifying the purity of the recycled Ir in collaboration with industrial partners. A purity for Ir of ≥99.9% should be achieved;
Verifying the quality and performance of recycled iridium from new recycling methods
Assessing alternative applications of the recycled ionomer;
Development of pre-processing guidelines for the input materials (granulation, extraction, homogenisation etc.) to reduce the recycling time and enhance efficiency;
Providing advice on stack design considerations to improve the recyclability of ionomer by allowing better separation of CCMs from the stack and ionomer from the CCM;
Industrial methods for making membranes and CCMs of the EoL ionomer with the ability to run short stack testing.

For the success of the project funded by this call, the project consortium should have access to end-of-life PEMWE components (e.g., cells, MEAs, CCMs) to evaluate real industrial waste and ensure the practical applicability of the developed solutions.

Proposals are expected to build further on the findings and targets of previous projects and find synergies with running projects (namely the projects mentioned above), as well as with the recently established Innovative Materials for EU Partnership.

For additional elements applicable to all topics please refer to section 2.2.3.2.

Activities are expected to start at TRL 3 and achieve TRL 5 by the end of the project - see General Annex B

The JU estimates that an EU contribution of maximum EUR 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.

The conditions related to this topic are provided in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2025 Annual Work Plan and in the General Annexes to the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023–2025 which apply mutatis mutandis.

[1] https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/repowereu-affordable-secure-and-sustainable-energy-europe_en

[2] A study by the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA) found that by 2040 the global annual Ir demand for PEMWE can reach 10 tons/year and up to a total of 34 tons/year under the shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) 1 (Sustainability – Taking the green road).

[3] Clean Hydrogen Partnership, Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2021-2027, 2022.

[4] SUSTAINCELL's primary goal is to recycle ionomer and precious group metals (PGM) sourced from end-of-life cells, membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), scraps, and waste. They are also focused on implementing eco-design principles and environmentally-friendly manufacturing methods to develop new materials and architectures. Additional information at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101101479

[5] Best4Hy aimed at achieving a platinum recovery rate of ≥80% via a hydrometallurgical process and an ionomer recovery of ≥80% via an alcohol dissolution process. Additional information at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101007216

[6] The primary objective of the project is to develop and organise a sustainable Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) for electrolysis materials and components, providing a network of facilities and services through a Single Entry Point (SEP). Additional information at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101091777

[7] H2SHIFT’s primary focus is to create an innovation and excellence center for innovative hydrogen production technologies open to start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises from Europe and around the world. Additional information at https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101137953

[8] EU harmonised accelerated stress testing protocols for low-temperature water electrolyser, https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC133726

View on EU Portal →

Eligibility & Conditions

General conditions

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

Page limit for Innovation Actions: For all Innovation Actions the page limit of the applications are 70 pages.

2. Eligible Countries

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligibility Conditions

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Additional eligibility condition: Maximum contribution per topic

For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to limit the Clean Hydrogen JU requested contribution mostly for actions performed at high TRL level, including demonstration in real operational environment and with important involvement from industrial stakeholders and/or end users such as public authorities. Such actions are expected to leverage co-funding as commitment from stakeholders. It is of added value that such leverage is shown through the private investment in these specific topics. Therefore, proposals requesting contributions above the amounts specified per each topic below will not be evaluated:

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 8.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 6.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 5.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 20.00 million

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02: The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 9.00 million

Additional eligibility condition: Membership to Hydrogen Europe / Hydrogen Europe Research

For the topics listed below, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, an additional eligibility criterion has been introduced to ensure that one partner in the consortium is a member of either Hydrogen Europe or Hydrogen Europe Research. This concerns topics targeting actions for large-scale demonstrations, flagship projects and strategic research actions, where the industrial and research partners of the Clean Hydrogen JU are considered to play a key role in accelerating the commercialisation of hydrogen technologies by being closely linked to the Clean Hydrogen JU constituency, which could further ensure full alignment with the SRIA of the JU. This approach shall also ensure the continuity of the work performed within projects funded through the H2020 and FP7, by building up on their experience and consolidating the EU value-chain. In the Call 2025 this applies to: demonstration of efficient electrolysis coupling with variable renewable electricity and/or heat integration, demonstration of innovative hydrogen and solid carbon production from renewable gases/biogenic waste processes, demonstration of scalable ammonia cracking technology, and demonstration of stationary fuel cells in renewable energy communities. This will also apply to the Hydrogen Valley (flagship) topics as they are considered of strategic importance for the European Union ambitions to double the number of Hydrogen Valleys by 2025. For the Hydrogen Valleys topics a large amount of co-investment/cofunding of project participants/beneficiaries including national and regional programmes is expected.

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds

are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes

are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

STEP (Sovereignty) Seal

For the topics below topics the STEP Seal (so called “Sovereignty Seal” under the STEP Regulation) will be awarded to proposals exceeding all of the evaluation thresholds set out in this Annual Work Programme. The STEP Seal is a label, which aims to increase the visibility of quality projects available for funding and help attract alternative and cumulative funding for quality projects, and simultaneously to provide a potential project pipeline for regional and national programmes

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement

described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].

described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

In addition to the standard provisions, the following specific provisions in the model grant agreement will apply:

1. Lump Sum

This year’s call for proposals will take the form of lump sums as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021- 2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025).

Lump sums will be used across all topics in the Call 2025.

2. Full capitalised costs for purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action

For some topics, in line with the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA, mostly large-scale demonstrators or flagship projects specific equipment, infrastructure or other assets purchased specifically for the action (or developed as part of the action tasks) can exceptionally be declared as full capitalised costs. This concerns the topics below:

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02

3. Subcontracting

For all topics: an additional obligation regarding subcontracting has been introduced, namely that subcontracted work may only be performed in target countries set out in the call conditions.

The beneficiaries must ensure that the subcontracted work is performed in the countries set out in the call conditions.

The target countries are all Member States of the European Union and all Associated Countries.

4. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), background and results, access rights and rights of use (article 16 and Annex 5 of the Model Grant Agreement (MGA))

An additional information obligation has been introduced for topics including standardisation activities: ‘Beneficiaries must, up to 4 years after the end of the action, inform the granting authority if the results could reasonably be expected to contribute to European or international standards’. These concerns the topics below:

- HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-01

Specific conditions

described in the chapter 2.2.3.2 of the Clean Hydrogen JU 2025 Annual Work Programme

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):

Application form templates

Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 RIA, IA)

Application form - Part B (HE CleanH2 CSA)

Evaluation form templates

Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)

Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)

Guidance

HE Programme Guide

Model Grant Agreements (MGA)

Lump Sum MGA

Call-specific instructions

Detailed budget table (HE LS)

Clean Hydrogen JU - Annual Work Programme 2025 (AWP 2025)

- AWP 2025

Clean Hydrogen JU - Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)

- SRIA Clean Hydrogen JU

Lump Sums Guidance

- Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"

- Comprehensive information on lump sum funding in Horizon Europe

Additional documents:

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 1. General Introduction

HE Main Work Programme 2023–2025 – 13. General Annexes

HE Programme Guide

HE Framework Programme 2021/695

HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment

EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement

Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual

Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions

Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

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Latest Updates

Last Changed: August 8, 2025

CALL UPDATE:

An overview of the evaluation results for the call HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025 is now available. More information can be found in this document: FLASH EVALUATION RESULTS

Last Changed: April 24, 2025

CALL UPDATE: PROPOSAL NUMBERS

Call HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025 has closed on the 23/04/2025.

212 proposals have been submitted.

The breakdown per topic is:

RENEWABLE HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-01: 21 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-02: 10 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-03: 11 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-04: 9 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-05: 8 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-06: 14 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-07: 15 proposals

HYDROGEN STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-01: 9 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-02: 10 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-02-03: 7 proposals

HYDROGEN END USES: TRANSPORT APPLICATIONS

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-01: 9 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-02: 7 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-03-03: 7 proposals

HYDROGEN END USES: CLEAN HEAT AND POWER

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-04-01: 19 proposals

CROSS-CUTTING

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-01: 7 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-02: 8 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-05-03: 6 proposals

HYDROGEN VALLEYS

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-01: 16 proposals

-HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-06-02: 19 proposals

Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in August 2025.

Last Changed: April 15, 2025

Notice to Applicants (15/04/2025)

Please note that we will no longer be accepting questions regarding the current call for proposals HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to refer to the published documentation for any remaining clarifications.

Last Changed: April 15, 2025

Errata Notice - Topic HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-05

The correct text for topic HORIZON-JU-CLEANH2-2025-01-05 stipulates:

"Furthermore, project results are expected to contribute to the following KPIs, targeted at co-electrolyser scale, specific for three high temperature co-electrolysis technologies: Oxide and Proton conductive Solid Oxide electrolysers (SOEL, PCCEL) and Molten Carbonate Electrolyser (MCE):

Oxide conductive Solid Oxide electrolysers (SOEL)

Power to syngas efficiency: 0.9 kWLHV /kWe
Degradation in operating conditions: 0.8 %/1000h @1A/cm²
Unit cost: 500 €/kW

Proton Conductive Ceramic electrolysers (PCCEL)

Power to syngas efficiency: 0.9 kWLHV/ kWe
Degradation in operating conditions: 0.8 %/1000h @0.75A/cm²
Unit cost: 500 €/kW

Molten Carbonate electrolysers (MCE)

Power to syngas efficiency: 0.93 kWLHV/ kWe
Degradation in operating conditions: 0.5 %/1000h @0.5A/cm²
Unit cost: 500 €/kW

KPIs are defined for the main high temperature co-electrolysis techniques, derived from the SRIA and from results of previous EU funded projects."

Last Changed: April 3, 2025

Errata Notice – Topic Conditions

We appreciate your attention to this information. Please be advised that the Topic Conditions are provided below, as they were not displayed correctly under each topic. These conditions apply to all topics across the entire call.

We kindly ask you to refer to the information below and in the AWP2025 to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements.