Hycenta Research

What Hycenta Research does

HyCentA Research GmbH (Hydrogen Research Center Austria), founded in 2005 and headquartered on the campus of Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), is Austria's leading non-university research institution dedicated exclusively to hydrogen technologies and electrochemical systems. Its technical scope spans the full green hydrogen value chain — electrolysis (PEM, alkaline, AEM, high-temperature co-electrolysis), fuel cell systems up to 160 kW, hydrogen storage (compressed gas, liquid hydrogen, metal hydrides), refueling infrastructure, electrochemical compression, and hydrogen metrology/certification — supported by an in-house test bench fleet including a 1.5 MW PEM electrolyzer pilot plant (OASES) and the Schönbein fuel cell test bench, plus the Boltzmann hydrogen quality laboratory for ISO 14687 Grade D compliance. Operationally, HyCentA runs as a COMET K1 Centre of Excellence under the Austrian COMET programme, co-financed by BMK, BMDW, and the provinces of Styria, Upper Austria, Vienna, and Tyrol, with delivery channels including publicly funded consortia projects, non-COMET joint research, fully cost-covering contract research, and a Hydrogen Test Centre providing testing, calibration, and certification services. Customers and partners include industrial enterprises (OMV Downstream, voestalpine, Andritz, HAINZL), energy utilities (VERBUND, Wien Energie, Energienetze Steiermark), automotive and mobility players (Bosch, Magna Steyr, BRP-Rotax, EKPO, Fronius), gas distributors (ÖVGW), and academic institutions (TU Graz institutes, Montanuniversität Leoben, Forschungszentrum Jülich, AIT), with the company co-owned by TU Graz, FVT (combustion engines/thermodynamics), Magna Steyr, and OMV Downstream GmbH. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per project, with revenue primarily driven by multi-year public funding and consortium co-development.

Name

Hycenta Research

Legal name

HyCentA Research GmbH

Website

https://hycenta.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HyCentA Research GmbH is Austria's leading non-university hydrogen research institution, founded in 2005 on the TU Graz campus, delivering publicly funded and contract R&D, testing, metrology, and certification services across the full green hydrogen value chain to industrial, energy, mobility, and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrogen Technology Research & Testing Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility) (IMAEACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydrogen Production Supply & Offtake (Green/Blue H2) for Utility Blending (EUAJAJAF), Hydrogen Materials Compatibility, Safety & Integrity (Pipelines, Meters, Appliances) (EUAJAJAG), Hydrogen Storage Terminals, Depots & Bulk Logistics (Siting, Loading/Unloading) (EUAFAEAI)

Keywords

• Hydrogen research services
• Electrolyzer testing facilities
• Fuel cell validation
• Hydrogen metrology certification
• Electrochemical compression technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Graz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Publicly funded research (COMET K1 program): Primary revenue stream from the COMET K1 funding programme, which is co-financed by BMK (Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology), BMDW (Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs), and the provinces of Styria, Upper Austria, Vienna and Tyrol. The COMET programme is managed by FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency). Funding supports long-term, scientifically excellent, internationally competitive research.
2. Contract research and project fees: Non-COMET contract research projects where HyCentA provides specific R&D services to industrial or academic clients on a fully cost-covering basis. Project types include funded non-COMET projects (combining client funding with national/international public funding) and non-funded contract research.
3. Testing and certification services: Revenue from providing hydrogen technology testing, measurement, and certification services through its Hydrogen Test Centre. Services include fuel cell and electrolyzer testing, hydrogen quality analysis, metrology calibration, and official conformity assessment support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

HyCentA Research GmbH provides applied research, testing, and certification services for green hydrogen technologies across the entire value chain. Core offerings include the Hydrogen Test Centre (test beds, gas analysis, refueling infrastructure testing, and metrology/certification), COMET K1-funded collaborative research programs, contract R&D services for industrial partners, and proprietary simulation tools (H2COST, HYDRA) for hydrogen infrastructure techno-economic assessment.

Product overview

HyCentA Research GmbH is Austria's leading hydrogen technology research center offering a comprehensive portfolio of research, testing, and certification services focused on green hydrogen technologies. The core offering includes the Hydrogen Test Centre with specialized test beds for electrolysis and fuel cell systems, gas analysis laboratories for ISO 14687 Grade D compliance, hydrogen refueling infrastructure testing, and metrology/certification services. Supporting products include the H2Cost economic feasibility tool (Python-based standalone software), the in-house developed 90 kW fuel cell system, and electrochemical compressor technology. The research center operates four main research areas: Electrolysis and Power-to-X, Green Energy and Industry, Green Mobility, and Circularity and System Optimization, all within the COMET K1 funding program. The center also provides contract research, strategic partnerships, and certification services as part of the Austrian Hydrogen Valley initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hydrogen Test Centre Comprehensive testing facility providing test beds, measuring and test systems, refueling infrastructure, and certification services for hydrogen technologies across the entire value chain. Serves industrial enterprises, automotive OEMs, energy companies, and academic institutions conducting hydrogen R&D and validation.
• Test Beds (Prüfstände) State-of-the-art test infrastructure including the Schönbein fuel cell test bench (up to 160 kW net power with climatic chamber -40°C to 85°C), HIFAI-RSA fuel cell test bench, and single-cell and stack test benches for electrolysis and fuel cell testing. Used by industrial partners to validate hydrogen system performance.
• Gas Analysis Laboratory Austria's first hydrogen gas analysis laboratory (UpHy) for testing hydrogen quality according to ISO 14687 Grade D standards across the entire hydrogen value chain. Used by industrial gas suppliers, refiners, and refueling station operators.
• Hydrogen Refueling Systems Infrastructure for testing and certifying hydrogen refueling processes including Europe's first indoor H2 filling station (ELOG) and certified mass flow metering systems (SAE J2601). Serves hydrogen mobility operators and refueling station developers.
• Hydrogen Metrology and Certification Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 15,000 tonnes CO₂ avoided annually through 10 MW PEM electrolyzer at OMV Schwechat
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• ÖVGW (Austrian Association of Gas and Water Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 November 2025HyCentA designated as official testing body for the ÖVGW Hydrogen Quality Mark. Long-standing collaboration includes joint projects, committee participation, and working groups. Research findings and practical operating experience flow directly into rules, guidelines, and certification programmes.
• HAINZL Industriesysteme GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025Co-development partner in COMET project OASES, building a pilot plant for PEM electrolyzer stack testing up to 1.5 MW at TU Graz campus (unique in Europe). HAINZL responsible for development, production, and construction of the plant, with HyCentA contributing testing expertise and validation. Commissioning expected mid-2026.
• Robert Bosch AGmajorTechnology or Integration · 10 September 2025Partner in COMET project OASES. Bosch supplies the electrolysis stack for commissioning and initial test runs at the pilot plant. HyCentA tailors the test bench functions to specific development requirements based on Bosch's electrolysis stack manufacturer expertise.
• Institute for Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems (ITnA), TU GrazmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025Academic partner in OASES project. A doctoral position at the institute will scientifically examine, evaluate, and optimise the test bench. Institute collaborates with HyCentA on research methodology and knowledge transfer.
• OMV Downstream GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025Core R&D partner in UpHy I & II projects, delivering green hydrogen production at OMV Schwechat (10 MW PEM electrolyzer producing 1,500 t/year green H₂). HyCentA contributed hydrogen quality lab (ISO 14687 Grade D), certified mass measurement (SAE J2601), and safety integration for industrial-scale PEM operation. OMV is also a co-owner of HyCentA Research GmbH.
• V&F Analyse- und Messtechnik GmbHsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProject partner in UpHy I & II, contributing analytical and measurement technology expertise for hydrogen quality and flow measurement.
• Energieinstitut an der JKU LinzsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in UpHy I & II, contributing academic research capabilities to the hydrogen infrastructure development initiative.
• Lehrstuhl für Energienetztechnik, Montanuniversität LeobensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in UpHy I & II projects, providing expertise in energy network technology for hydrogen infrastructure integration and metrology.
• WIVA P&G (Hydrogen Model Region Austria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHyCentA is co-founder and board member of WIVA P&G, Austria's hydrogen model region established 2015. The flagship region was awarded European H2 Valley of the Year 2023. WIVA P&G is funded by the FFG Energy Model Region programme and the Climate and Energy Fund.
• BRP-RotaxmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in HyFleet project for hydrogen mobility. HyCentA is testing its in-house 90 kW fuel cell system on a fuel cell electric side-by-side vehicle powered by this system to demonstrate practicality and efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell technology in real-world mobility applications.
• EKPO Fuel Cell TechnologiessupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaborator in HyFleet project for hydrogen mobility, contributing fuel cell technology expertise to the decarbonisation initiative for special vehicle fleets.
• Fronius International GmbHsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaborator in HyFleet project. Also partner in HyFacility (electrochemical compressor) and ReNEW/H2COST projects, contributing hydrogen technology expertise across multiple HyCentA research initiatives.
• Black Tree GmbHsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaborator in HyFleet project for hydrogen mobility, contributing to the assembly and commissioning of the fuel cell electric vehicle demonstration.
• Hinterstoder-Wurzeralm BergbahnensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in HyFleet project; hydrogen fuel cell vehicle powered by HyCentA's 90 kW system is being demonstrated for winter tourism applications in the Wurzeralm region.
• AIT Austrian Institute of TechnologysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in HyFacility (electrochemical compressor) and ReNEW/H2COST projects. Contributes applied research capabilities in energy and hydrogen technologies.
• AVL List GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in HyFacility electrochemical compressor project. AVL contributes automotive and powertrain testing expertise to hydrogen compression research.
• Profactor GmbHsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in HyFacility electrochemical compressor project, contributing manufacturing and production research capabilities.
• TU Graz (CEET, IWT, ITNA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner across HyFacility, HyFleet, and OASES projects. TU Graz is home to the HyCentA campus and provides multi-disciplinary research capabilities (energy, tribology, thermodynamics). HyCentA managing director Alexander Trattner is affiliated with TU Graz.
• VERBUND AGsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy utility partner across H2COST/ReNEW and HyFacility projects. Contributes renewable energy and grid integration expertise for hydrogen system simulation and electrochemical compression research.
• Andritz AGsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in H2COST/ReNEW project for techno-economic feasibility assessment of hydrogen infrastructure.
• Energienetze Steiermark GmbHsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in H2COST/ReNEW project. Contributes gas network expertise for hydrogen infrastructure economic modeling.
• TÜV SÜD Landesgesellschaft Österreich GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in H2COST/ReNEW project, contributing safety, testing, and certification expertise for hydrogen infrastructure.
• voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in H2COST/ReNEW project. Represents industrial end-user perspective for hydrogen adoption in steel production.
• Wien Energie GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in H2COST/ReNEW project. Largest regional energy provider contributing utility-scale perspective on hydrogen infrastructure economics.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman academic partner in H2COST/ReNEW project, bringing international research scale to the hydrogen infrastructure simulation consortium.
• K1-MET GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian K1 centre partner in H2COST/ReNEW, contributing metallurgical and energy research expertise.
• BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in H2COST/ReNEW project, contributing expertise in sustainable energy technologies and bioenergy integration.
• OMV Exploration & Production GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUpstream oil and gas partner in H2COST/ReNEW project, providing industry perspective on hydrogen infrastructure development and transition energy.
• Technische Universität Graz (TU Graz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner of HyCentA Research GmbH and host institution. HyCentA is based on the TU Graz campus. TU Graz provides academic infrastructure, research talent pipeline (theses, doctoral positions), and co-develops research through institutes including CEET, IWT, ITnA, and Institute for Powertrains and Automotive Technology.
• Forschungsgesellschaft für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Thermodynamik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner of HyCentA Research GmbH. Contributes research expertise in combustion engines and thermodynamics, supporting the energy systems transition research agenda.
• Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH & Co KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner of HyCentA Research GmbH. Major automotive engineering partner that co-developed the FC REEV fuel cell range-extender vehicle (Energy Globe Award Austria 2018) and contributes vehicle integration expertise.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SINTEF: Norway's largest independent research organisation with deep hydrogen technology expertise spanning electrolysis, storage and fuel cells. Comparable as a publicly funded multi-disciplinary applied research organisation serving European industrial hydrogen adopters.
• Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO): Dutch applied research organisation with substantial hydrogen, fuel cell and electrolysis programmes for industrial decarbonisation. Comparable as a publicly funded research institute offering contract research, testing and certification to industrial customers.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich: German research centre with major hydrogen and fuel cell programmes; already named as an H2COST/ReNEW partner of HyCentA. Comparable as a publicly funded applied research institution with overlapping electrolysis and hydrogen storage research areas.
• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT): German research university with extensive hydrogen, fuel cell and storage programmes across electrochemistry and energy systems. Comparable as a publicly funded research institution combining academic talent pipeline with industry-facing testing infrastructure.
• CEA-LITEN (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission): France's leading applied hydrogen research lab within CEA, operating large-scale electrolyser and fuel cell test platforms. Comparable as a publicly funded applied research institution offering testing, characterisation and qualification services to industrial partners.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE): Germany's largest applied research institute for energy, with significant hydrogen production and fuel cell divisions offering comparable testing infrastructure, certification and R&D services. Closely comparable as a publicly funded applied research institution serving industrial decarbonisation customers.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): U.S. national lab providing R&D, hydrogen testing and certification for the global energy transition. Comparable as a publicly funded applied research institution operating grid-scale hydrogen test infrastructure on a cost-recovery/contract research model.
• DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics: German Aerospace Center's energy division, running large-scale hydrogen, fuel cell and storage test rigs. Comparable as a publicly funded applied research institution with comparable electrolyser and fuel cell characterisation capabilities.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's applied research institute with hydrogen, fuel cell and P2X programmes serving European industrial partners. Comparable as a publicly funded research hub combining contract research with proprietary infrastructure and certification expertise.

Emerging players

• Nel ASA: Norwegian electrolyser manufacturer and hydrogen refueling station provider with its own R&D, testing and metrology capabilities. Comparable as a hydrogen technology specialist operating in the same industrial customer base (electrolyser deployment, refueling stations) but with a product/commercial orientation rather than research-institution GTM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hycenta

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hycenta Research