Tokyo, Japan - On December 19, 2024, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry approved Toray Industries' initiative to develop a gigawatt-class mass production system for electrolyte membranes used in water electrolyzers under the Green Transformation Supply Chain Development Support Program.
Toray's project aims to enhance the performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers, pivotal for Japan's decarbonization efforts. The company has innovated a hydrocarbon-based electrolyte membrane that demonstrates high proton conductivity and low gas permeability.
In collaboration with Yamanashi Prefecture and nine other firms, Toray is working on a large power-to-gas system, supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization's Green Innovation Fund. This initiative targets the decarbonization of the Suntory Natural Water Minami Alps Hakushu Water Plant and the Suntory Hakushu Distillery.
A 16-megawatt power-to-gas system was installed in February 2024, enabling the safe conversion of renewable energy into hydrogen for transitioning high-energy-consuming equipment from fossil fuels.
The ministry has approved Toray's ¥56 billion investment plan, aiming for a production capacity exceeding 10 gigawatts of water electrolyzer capacity for hydrocarbon-based electrolyte membranes by fiscal 2028. As renewable energy adoption increases, the market for PEM water electrolyzers is projected to grow significantly, with the electrolyte membrane market expected to surpass 100 billion yen annually by the early 2030s.
Toray aims to lead the electrolyte membrane market, contributing to a hydrogen economy and establishing a robust green hydrogen supply chain.