Overview of ZBT

Application-oriented hydrogen, fuel cell and electrolysis research takes place in Duisburg at ZBT - The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center.

Since its foundation in 2001, ZBT has been bridging the gap between fundamental university research and the development departments of industry.

Over more than 20 years, ZBT has built up comprehensive expertise in application-oriented research in the fields of fuel cells, hydrogen and electrolysis. Thanks to its expertise, ZBT is a sought-after research and development partner, as well as a consultancy service provider.

Main building of the ZBT - The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center, with entrance and glass façade

ZBT is a non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH); since 2005, the University of Duisburg-Essen has been its sole shareholder.

The managing director is Dr Peter Beckhaus (left), whilst Prof. Dr Harry E. Hoster (right) holds the position of scientific director. Our commercial director, Jonas Sudhoff, and operations manager, Bernd Oberschachtsiek, complete the management team.

As a member of the Johannes-Rau-Forschungsgemeinschaft (Johannes Rau Research Association), ZBT receives support from the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The approximately 180 staff members at ZBT have access to an outstanding technical infrastructure , which includes, amongst other things, production facilities, test facilities, chemical laboratories and high-tech analytical equipment. State-of-the-art IT and software tools round off the portfolio.

ZBT Managing Director Dr Peter Beckhaus and ZBT’s Scientific Director Prof. Harry Hoster in the ZBT’s main laboratory

Departments

In our seven scientific departments, numerous scientists work daily on research and industrial projects addressing practical issues related to fuel cells, hydrogen, and electrolysis. The scope of these projects ranges from functional materials to components and systems, and even extends to entire infrastructures. Manufacturing processes are also being studied and refined to pave the way for cost-effective mass production.

It’s worth noting that many people in our Technical Services and Business Services departments work hard to keep things running smoothly.

Electrochemical Components

Electrolysis

Fuel Cell Systems

Fuel Cells & Stacks

Fuels & Processes

Hydrogen Infrastructure

New Materials & Technologies

Equipment

We have just significantly expanded the media supply capabilities in our main laboratory so that we can also conduct testing in higher power classes, such as for mobility applications. We develop and build most of our high-tech test benches ourselves. In addition, we have a wide range of high-performance analytical instruments for material characterisation, such as an X-ray microscope, a 3D microscope, and a thermogravimetric analyser.

In addition, the ZBT has now established a robust ammonia infrastructure to further develop technologies related to this hydrogen derivative. And at our hydrogen test facility, we can build entire systems, combine them, and study how they interact.

Software Tools

Ex-situ analysis

Stack test stands

Find out more about our equipment

Good Research Practice

ZBT adheres to the principles of good research practice and consistently implements the relevant ‘Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice – Code of Conduct’. Furthermore, all research staff are committed to the Principles of the Safeguarding of Good Research Practice at the University of Duisburg-Essen, our shareholder.

We provide centralised guidance and support for the research carried out in our specialist departments and ensure the consistently high quality of our work. We coordinate and promote the professional development of our research staff and provide support with the publication and dissemination of our research findings.

Two people are operating a test bench in a laboratory

ZBT as a partner

Since 2001, ZBT has been a reliable partner for projects relating to green hydrogen, particularly in the fields of electrolysis, hydrogen storage, refuelling station technology, fuel cells and materials for electrochemical energy conversion.

As an application-oriented research institute, ZBT collaborates with industry, academia, policymakers and the wider community. More than 130 million euros have already been invested in over 370 funded projects.

A conversation between three people on the roof of the institute

Sustainability at ZBT

Sustainability is not an option, but a necessity. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. By using renewable energy and adopting sustainable practices, we are helping to limit global warming and protect the environment.

Working Together

At ZBT, equal opportunities, diversity and respectful collaboration are at the heart of how we work together. We are committed to helping our staff balance work, family and their personal lives. We promote a working culture in which different perspectives are welcomed – regardless of gender, background, age, religion or beliefs, disability or sexual identity.

A ZBT employee holds her hand, dyed with colour, towards the camera

Recent awards

2025

Wiley Top Cited Article Award 2025

Adib Caidi, ZBT, was honored by Wiley with the Top Cited Article Award 2025 of the journal Particle & Particle Systems Characterization for his publication “Key Control Characteristics of Carbon Black Materials for Fuel Cells and Batteries for a Standardized Characterization of Surface Properties”.

2024

CENIDE Best Paper Award 2024

Adib Caidi, ZBT, and Amin S. Amin, University of Duisburg-Essen, received the CENIDE Best Paper Award 2024 in the category “Functional materials for energy applications” for their publication “Key Control Characteristics of Carbon Black Materials for Fuel Cells and Batteries for a Standardized Characterization of Surface Properties”.

2024

Award for Best Master's Thesis from the Deutschen Wasserstoff-Verband (DWV) e.V.

The master’s thesis of our research assistant Enado Pineti was honoured by the German Hydrogen Association as the best academic thesis of 2024. His Master’s thesis titled “Herstellung und Optimierung edelmetallfreier Katalysatorschichten für die Anionenaustauschmembran-Wasserelektrolyse (AEM-WE) mittels korrosiver Abscheidung” (title translation: Production and optimisation of precious metal-free catalyst layers for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEM-WE) using corrosive deposition) was awarded in the Master’s category.

ZBT governing bodies

The ZBT is an affiliated institute and, since 2005, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). The shareholders’ meeting is constituted by the Rectorate of the UDE.

The Supervisory Board oversees the strategic direction of the ZBT and comprises representatives from the University of Duisburg-Essen and relevant ministries in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as external experts from the ZBT’s field of activity. In addition, the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board and a representative of the City of Duisburg sit on the board in an advisory capacity.

The Scientific Advisory Board advises the shareholders and the management on strategic matters and has comprehensive rights of inspection regarding the ZBT’s non-profit research and development projects.

The Support Association was founded in 2002 to strengthen the link between industry and ZBT. It provides financial support to the ZBT and appoints members to the Scientific Advisory Board.

Group photo of the Supervisory Board of ZBT - The Hydrogen and Fuel Celll Center

Our Support Association

The Association for the Promotion of ZBT - Zentrum für BrennstoffzelenTechnik supports ZBT in its work. Members gain insights into research and development at the ZBT and establish valuable contacts with one another and within ZBT.

Founding:

24 September 2002
Headquaters:

Duisburg
Founding Members:

8
Current Members:

39 (Stand: 01/2026)
General meeting:

Yearly
Board of Directors:

Carsten Krause, Vorsitzender
Dr. Frank Koch, stv. Vorsitzender

Promotion of research and development at ZBT
Assistance in seeking industrial partners
Cooperation with ZBT in the development of the research and development programme
Network platform

Our Network

Our network brings together academia, industry and politics to jointly develop sustainable energy solutions. As an affiliated institute of the University of Duisburg-Essen, which is also our sole shareholder, we work in close cooperation with academic and industrial partners. We also benefit from our membership of the Johannes-Rau-Forschungsgemeinschaft (Research Association) and from support provided by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Furthermore, ZBT is a member of numerous other regional, national and international organisations.

ZBT is an affiliate institute of the University of Duisburg-Essen and member of the Johannes-Rau-Forschungsgemeinschaft

Directions

Please note our current information on directions and parking:

Das ZBT ist zurzeit wegen Baustellen im direkten Umfeld schwer zu erreichen, und die Parkplatzsituation ist recht angespannt. Bitte reist wenn möglich mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln an oder plant zusätzliche Zeit für Parkplatzsuche und Fußweg ein.

Einbahnstraßenregelung

Die Zufahrt zum ZBT-Gelände über die Carl-Benz-Straße ist wegen Baumaßnahmen bis auf Weiteres nur aus südlicher Richtung über den Forsthausweg möglich.

Fahrt entweder über das Gelände des Fraunhofer-inHaus-Zentrums (Google Maps) zu den ZBT-Parkplätzen oder umkreist das neue Uni-Parkhaus an der Carl-Benz-Straße und fahrt dort direkt auf das ZBT-Gelände (Google Maps). Einfahrt-verboten-Schilder könnt ihr dank des Zusatzschilds “Zufahrt ZBT frei” ignorieren.

Parken

Die Parkmöglichkeiten am ZBT sind begrenzt. Vor unserem Haupteingang stehen ein paar ausgeschilderte Besucherparkplätze (Google Maps) zur Verfügung – Maps zeigt die Einfahrt nicht an, sie ist aber da.
Bitte nicht gegenüber beim NETZ und auf den zwei Parkplätzen links vor der Wiese parken!

Weitere kostenfreie Parkplätze:

Uni-Parkplatz (Google Maps)
Neues Uni-Parkhaus (Google Maps) – zurzeit ist die Einfahrt noch frei.

Anlieferung

Unsere Warenannahme befindet sich im Nebengebäude (Google Maps). Anfahrt über Carl-Benz-Straße (trotz Baustelle) und über das Gelände des Fraunhofer-inHaus-Zentrums (Forsthausweg 1) möglich.

Route description

Public transport:

Von Duisburg Hauptbahnhof:
Mit den Buslinien 933 oder 926 zur Endhaltestelle “Uni Nord” fahren (Fahrzeit: 11-15 min).
Alternativ mit der Straßenbahnlinie 901 Richtung Mülheim/Ruhr bis zur Haltestelle “Zoo/Uni” fahren. Von dort den Hinweisschildern zum Universitätsbereich “L” folgen (Fahrzeit: ca. 5 min + Fußweg).

Von den Flughäfen Düsseldorf und Frankfurt:
Am Flughafen Düsseldorf (DUS) mit dem SkyTrain vom Terminal zum Flughafen-Fernbahnhof fahren. Von dort einen Zug zum Hauptbahnhof Duisburg nehmen. Weiter wie oben beschrieben.
Alterntiv: Eine Taxifahrt vom Düsseldorfer Flughafen dauert ca. 30 min und kostet etwa 65 Euro (Stand: 7/2025).

Vom Flughafen Frankfurt (FRA) mit dem Schnellzug ICE zum Hauptbahnhof Duisburg fahren (Fahrzeit: ca. 1:15 - 2 Stunden). Weiter wie oben beschrieben.

Car and delivery

Von den Autobahnen A40 und A3 im Kreuz Kaiserberg die Ausfahrt Duisburg-Kaiserberg nehmen.

An der Ampel links abbiegen auf Carl-Benz-Straße. An der Gabelung (wie Ausfahrt) rechts halten in Richtung DU-Zentrum. Danach rechts abbiegen auf Mülheimer Straße.

Nach einigen hundert Metern links in Lotharstraße abbiegen. Dann links in Forsthausweg einbiegen.

Entweder hier schon links über das Gelände des Fraunhofer-inHaus-Zentrums (Forsthausweg 1) zum ZBT-Gelände fahren oder dem Straßenverlauf weiter auf Carl-Benz-Straße folgen und das neue Uni-Parkhaus umrunden (Einfahrt-verboten-Schilder ignorieren, Einfahrten auf ZBT-Gelände ausgeschildert).

Anfahrtsbeschreibung zum Ausdrucken

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Excerpt from the map of Duisburg, showing the ZBT - The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center