SKZ Conference - Innovative plastics for fuel cells and electrolysis

Einladungsflyer zur Tagung Kunststoffe für Brennstoffzellen und Elektrolyse

SKZ Conference – Innovative plastics for fuel cells and electrolysis

The 8th “Symposium Plastics for Fuel Cells and Electrolysis” of the SKZ – Das Kunststoff-Zentrum will take place in Duisburg at the end of November 2025. The ZBT is providing the conference chair and two speakers.

Hydrogen technologies such as fuel cells, electrolysers, storage systems and pipelines are crucial for a sustainable, climate-neutral and secure energy supply. Within these systems and in the balance of plant, innovative plastics can make a decisive contribution to the success of the energy transition. There are great future opportunities for the plastics industry here.

However, in order to establish themselves on the market, these technologies must be produced in large quantities and at economical costs. For this reason, many companies are working on materials and processes for low-cost mass production. What properties must new materials have? What role will innovative plastics play in fuel cells and electrolysers?

Focus: Areas of application, materials and production

At the “Symposium on Plastics for Fuel Cells and Electrolysis” on 26. and 27. November2025 in Duisburg, the focus is on possible applications, material selection and optimisation and innovative production processes.

But before we get into the details, Prof. Sönke Gößling (pictured) from Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts will paint the overall picture in his opening lecture “Hydrogen is the missing link” and explain why we need hydrogen and why it is so important in mobility.

Business-Portrait eines Manns mit Jacket, Hemd und Jeans

ZBT: Material qualification, AEM electrolysis, seals

The subsequent lecture programme includes three contributions from the ZBT: Dr. Ulrich Misz (pictured), Head of the Fuel Cell Systems Department, will provide information on current developments in the field of material qualification. Dr. Moritz Pilaski, Group Manager AEM Electrolysis and Fuel Cells, will give an overview of plastic components in electrolysis systems. And Sebastian Brokamp, Group Manager Graphitic Stack Development, will talk about the development of seals for fuel cell stacks and their application using the dispensing process.

Other lectures deal with materials and their properties. This is about:

Thermoplastics for hydrogen systems
Plastics for fuel cell humidifiers
Mechanical and electrical stability of graphite-polymer composite bipolar plates

Manufacturing processes are also scrutinised more closely, in particular:

Injection molding of bipolar half plates
Components from additive manufacturing
Pressure increase of fluids by means of metal bellows

Portrait eines Manns mit Jackett, Hemd und Jeans

Excursus: hydrogen mobility

As a brief digression, a speaker from Toyota Germany will explain the role of hydrogen mobility in the Group’s multi-path drive strategy and present hydrogen solutions for various areas of application.

Other speakers come from:

Air Management Systems, Ortenberg
AM-Rauch, Baden-Baden
Ensinger, Nufringen
HYDAC New Technologies, Sulzbach
Matthews International, Vreden
Chemnitz University of Technology
WESKO, Stollberg

Wasserstofftank und weitere Komponenten in einem Schnittmodell eines FCEV

Once again this year, conference chair Dr. Marco Grundler, full-time group leader for compound technology at the ZBT, will lead through the programme in his usual experienced manner. And, of course, there will once again be plenty of opportunities for exchange and networking as well as the chance to gain exclusive insights into the ZBT’s fuel cell laboratories and plastics technology center. There you will also be able to see the gasket dispenser in action (pictured).

So register now!