Plastic solutions for hydrogen systems

The hydrogen industry is the key driver for a far reaching energy transition. This is because hydrogen is an all-rounder: hydrogen functions as an future energy carrier, a process gas and one of the most promising energy storage medium at the same time. The potential extends across various sectors, including the plastics industry, which has a key role to play in realising a sustainable hydrogen economy.

Our high-performance plastic materials and components, which are used in key areas of hydrogen technology, open the way to a sustainable and emission-free energy future. They combine favourable material-specific properties, create optimal solutions for existing hydrogen concepts and make numerous hydrogen applications possible in the first place.

With our value chain from the compound to the finished component, we offer comprehensive complete solutions for hydrogen technology. Thanks to our many years of expertise in material development as well as application and production technology, we can advise our customers quickly and reliably. You benefit from our excellent network and close cooperation with leading German and European institutes and OEMs that specialise in fuel cell technology and hydrogen production, among other things.


Technology fields and hydrogen plastic solutions

Technology fields in the area of hydrogen pose a variety of challenges. The focus is on the so-called LCOH (Levelised Cost Of Hydrogen), an important key figure for calculating the profitability of green hydrogen projects. This is to be reduced through a long service life of the components, efficiency of the hydrogen systems, high purity of the materials and lightweight construction. This is where high-performance plastics come into play with their diverse properties such as corrosion and chemical resistance, low outgassing-behaviour, very good formability and low weight compared to metals. Thermoplastics are also recyclable and can be returned to other material cycles more easily than metals or thermosets.
At Ensinger, we are continuously developing new high-performance plastics and technologies for the future hydrogen market to meet the specific requirements of hydrogen technology and open up new fields of technology.

With applications such as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM fuel cells) and hydrogen electrolysis, our innovative high-performance plastics can be used in a variety of ways in the hydrogen economy. These green technologies form the basis for an efficient and environmentally friendly energy supply.

Plastic solutions for fuel cell technology and components

Our high-performance plastics are used in fuel cell systems as bipolar plates, end plates, insulation plates or as media supply units (MSU). Together with renowned partners from industry and research, we have developed materials for hydrogen fuel cell components and transferred them to series production.

Plastic solutions for hydrogen production through electrolysis

We also manufacture various key components in the field of electrolysis.
In addition to the cell frame, which serves as the basic structural component, insulating plates are used to insulate the end plates electrically and chemically from the inside of the electrolyzer.

Advantages for the future hydrogen industry

We have our own compounding department that specialises in application-specific material developments. This enables us to guarantee an optimised property profile of the high-performance plastics that is tailored to the hydrogen application. The best example is our HTE compounds, which were specially developed for the production of bipolar plates for fuel cells, redox-flow-batteries and electrolyzers.

This customised adaptation of the plastic properties makes a decisive contribution to the efficiency and safety of the fuel cell.

Ensinger's quality management system (QMS) is based on internationally recognised standards such as ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016 and AS/EN 9100, the standard for quality management in the aerospace industry. We confirm these standards through internal and external audits and continuously develop our processes further.
As an experienced plastics expert, we offer the entire spectrum from prototype production to small series and large series production. Our extensive portfolio includes all relevant plastics processing methods such as injection moulding, semi-finished product production, machining and 3D printing. As a full-service provider, we also supply fully assembled components and have the ability to develop and manufacture special materials in our in-house compounding department.
As a globally active company for high-performance plastics, our customers benefit from a consistent global presence. Regardless of location, comparable setups and processes are used to ensure consistently high quality. Our comprehensive support structure ensures that you receive the support you need, wherever and whenever you need it. Rely on our experience and commitment to reliably fulfil your requirements in the growing hydrogen industry worldwide.

Complete project support - ENSINGER ONE-STOP SHOP

We provide you with comprehensive support in all phases of the product life cycle in the hydrogen industry sector: from the initial development stage to selecting the right plastic for your prototypes through to series production.

As a leading full-service provider for high-performance plastics, we are your reliable partner in the hydrogen industry.


Finished parts for the hydrogen industry from Ensinger

Products for the hydrogen industry from Ensinger


Technical solutions for the hydrogen industry

  • High-performance plastics are corrosion-resistant and have very good chemical resistance. Both properties are crucial for the use of components in hydrogen applications due to the contact with chemicals. At Ensinger, the property profile of the plastics is specially tailored to the application.
  • Depending on the hydrogen component and area of application in the stack, the material used must have conductive or non-conductive properties.

    Together with its partner Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (ZBT) Duisburg, Ensinger has developed highly conductive hydrogen fuel cell materials with graphite filling that are particularly suitable for bipolar plates of fuel cells or redox flow batteries. 

  • PEM systems require components that do not negatively influence the desired electrochemical processes through outgassing of the material used. Low ion leaching is particularly important for fuel cells in order to avoid poisoning the membrane. High-performance plastics with low outgassing and high purity properties contribute significantly to the longevity and long-term functionality of the components.
  • Ensinger has access to important aerospace standards (e.g. FAR 25.853), which specify strict requirements for flammability, smoke formation and toxicity. The currently developing standards on the subject of hydrogen applications are constantly monitored and also taken into account.