HySON

What HySON does

HySON – Institut für Angewandte Wasserstoffforschung Sonneberg gGmbH is a non-profit applied research institute founded on 10 February 2021 in Sonneberg, Thuringia, Germany, that bridges the gap between fundamental hydrogen research and commercial application. The institute is registered as a gGmbH (gemeinnützige GmbH) under German law and operates from a purpose-built research facility at Dammstraße 1 housing laboratories, a technical center, rentable office and lab space, and meeting facilities. Its research spans the full hydrogen value chain — generation, storage, utilization, and infrastructure — with particular focus on arc plasma pyrolysis of methane into hydrogen and solid carbon, hydrogen-material interaction under high pressure (up to 1000 bar), and sector coupling of hydrogen and water management.

The institute's product portfolio centers on five service lines: (1) HySON Labservices, a fee-for-service laboratory suite covering hydrogen loading tests, hydrogen content determination (0.01–1000 ppm range), gas permeation testing, hydrogen purity gas chromatography (1–100,000 ppm), FTIR spectroscopy, electrochemical corrosion testing, and tube furnace heat treatment to 1200°C; (2) the IHK-certified 'Fachexperte für Wasserstoffanwendungen' training course, a 72-hour program priced at €2,182–€2,280 and delivered in partnership with IHK Südthüringen and IHK Erfurt; (3) feasibility studies, economic analyses, and consulting engagements for industrial clients and municipalities; (4) office and laboratory space rental to companies and research institutions; and (5) the 'get started 2gether' start-up funding programme, through which Thuringian technology start-ups receive up to €200,000 in public co-financing to use HySON's infrastructure.

HySON sits at the center of the h2well (Main-Elbe-LINK) hydrogen alliance — one of 20 BMBF-selected WIR! regions with over 70 partners spanning industry, municipalities, and academia. Its go-to-market combines direct sales of lab services and consulting with event-driven visibility (Wasserstoffkonferenz series, open house days, school visits, IHK training cohorts, and the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften) and a digital presence on LinkedIn, Instagram, and a dedicated h2facts public information campaign. Customers include regional industrial players (Bergmann Kalk, Maxit Baustoffwerke, SCHOTT, TEAG, BNA Automation, Bayernwerk Netz, SPIE DE, TITK Rudolstadt, Fraunhofer IKTS), municipal utilities (Wasserwerke Sonneberg, Stadtwerke Sonneberg, Stadtwirtschaft Weimar), and start-ups (via the get started 2gether programme). The institute is led by Institutsdirektor Dr. rer. nat. habil. Mario Einax and is supported by a Wissenschaftlicher Beirat (scientific advisory board) with representatives from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, TU Ilmenau, ZSW, and the Metropolregion Mitteldeutschland.

Name

HySON

Legal name

HySON – Institut für Angewandte Wasserstoffforschung Sonneberg gGmbH

Website

https://hyson.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HySON is a non-profit applied hydrogen research institute in Sonneberg, Thuringia, providing fee-for-service lab analytics, IHK-certified hydrogen training, consulting, infrastructure rental, and start-up support to industrial firms, municipalities, and research institutions across the Main-Elbe region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Hydrogen Research and Laboratory Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility) (IMAEACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Utility Testing (PW/WFI/Steam/Gases) (HLAGADAO), Hydrogen Materials Compatibility, Safety & Integrity (Pipelines, Meters, Appliances) (EUAJAJAG), Hydrogen CHP (Fuel Cell & H2-Ready Turbines) (EUACAKAF)

Keywords

• Hydrogen research services
• Laboratory materials testing
• Hydrogen training certification
• Applied energy research
• Feasibility consulting studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Sonneberg

HQ country

Germany

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. Laboratory and Analytical Services: Fee-for-service laboratory testing and analytical services for companies, institutions, and municipalities. Services include hydrogen loading, hydrogen content determination, gas permeation testing, hydrogen quality analysis, chromatography, spectroscopy, wet chemistry, physical testing, and synthesis. Revenue is transactional and project-based, varying by client and scope.
2. Training and Certification Programs: Revenue from conducting the IHK-certified 'Fachexperte für Wasserstoffanwendungen' (Hydrogen Application Expert) program in partnership with IHK Südthüringen and IHK Erfurt. The 72-hour program is priced at €2,280 (IHK Sonneberg) or €2,182 (IHK Erfurt, excluding catering). Revenue is course-based per participant.
3. Feasibility and Consulting Studies: Contract research and consulting engagements including feasibility studies, economic viability studies, process optimization concepts, sector coupling analyses, and CO2 footprint potential studies for industrial clients, municipalities, and commercial enterprises.
4. Infrastructure Rental: Rental of office and laboratory spaces within the institute's purpose-built building to companies or other research institutions. Office spaces of 31 m² with four workstations; laboratory/test areas of at least 54 m². Revenue is recurring rental income.
5. Start-Up Support Program Revenue: HySON serves as a WINAFO (non-profit economic research institute) partner for the Thuringian 'get started 2gether' funding competition. Thuringian start-ups receive up to €200,000 in public funding to collaborate with HySON's infrastructure, with HySON providing R&D collaboration services in exchange. The programme is funded by the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs (TMWLLR).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

HySON provides applied hydrogen research and laboratory/analytical services to companies, institutions, and municipalities, including hydrogen loading and permeation testing, hydrogen content determination, gas chromatography for hydrogen quality, FTIR spectroscopy, microscopy and metallography, and electrochemical corrosion testing. The institute also delivers an IHK-certified hydrogen expert training programme, runs the "get started 2gether" start-up funding competition, rents office and laboratory space, and conducts feasibility, economic viability, and sector-coupling studies.

Product overview

HySON is a research institute focused on applied hydrogen research, offering a portfolio of laboratory and analytical services (HySON Labservices) for hydrogen testing and characterization, along with training programs, start-up support initiatives, and infrastructure rental. The core Labservices product includes hydrogen loading and permeation testing, gas chromatography for hydrogen quality analysis, chemistry and analytics, microscopy/materials testing, and electrochemical corrosion testing. Supporting offerings include the IHK-certified hydrogen expert training course and the get started 2gether start-up funding competition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HySON Labservices: Laboratory and analytics services for hydrogen and climate-neutral energy carriers for companies, institutions, and municipalities.
• get started 2gether
• h2well Innovationsmanagement

Products and services

• HySON Labservices
• get started 2gether Start-up funding competition for Thuringian technology start-ups (operational under 5 years, TRL ≥ 3), offering up to €200,000 in public co-financing to use HySON institute infrastructure and benefit from scientific supervision and the WINAFO research-institute network. Funded by the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs (TMWLLR).
• Infrastructure Rental Rental of office spaces (31 m², four workstations) and laboratory/test areas (minimum 54 m²) in the HySON institute building at Dammstraße 1, Sonneberg, to companies or research institutions.
• Fachexperte für Wasserstoffanwendungen (IHK) — Hydrogen Applications Expert Certification 72-hour IHK-certified (nationally standardized DIHK) course providing comprehensive knowledge of hydrogen technology as a climate-friendly energy carrier, covering ecological and economic foundations, hydrogen properties, production, applications, storage, transport, safety, and regulations. Priced at €2,280 (IHK Südthüringen) or €2,182 (IHK Erfurt, excluding catering). Delivered at IHK Südthüringen (Sonneberg, Arnstadt) and IHK Erfurt (WaldResort) locations.
• Forschungszusammenarbeit (Research Cooperation) Collaborative research projects covering hydrogen topics (mobility and infrastructure, hydrogen-material interaction, oxygen use, CO2 capture) and broader topics (electrical/IT engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, chemistry, simulation, bioanalytics, optics, chemical engineering). Includes feasibility studies, economic viability studies, process optimization concepts, sector coupling analyses, and CO2 footprint potential studies for industrial clients, municipalities, and commercial enterprises.

Quantifiable outcome

• 69 projects funded through the get started 2gether programme to date, with one Thuringian start-up successfully receiving funding as a HySON partner in 2025.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• h2well Innovationsmanagement (HySON Förderverein)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021The HySON Förderverein manages the 'h2well Innovationsmanagement und Öffentlichkeitskommunikation' project within the h2well (Main-Elbe-LINK) hydrogen alliance — one of 20 WIR! regions selected by the BMBF. The project drives decentralized hydrogen economy research and innovation in the region between the Main and Elbe rivers. With over 70 partners, h2well aims to implement hydrogen technologies in demonstration projects in Sonneberg and Apolda, with the HySON Förderverein responsible for innovation management, network facilitation, and public outreach (h2facts campaign).
• IHK Südthüringen (Chamber of Industry and Commerce South Thuringia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHK Südthüringen and HySON co-deliver the 'Fachexperte für Wasserstoffanwendungen' (IHK Certificate Programme for Hydrogen Applications Experts) at IHK locations in Sonneberg and Arnstadt. The 72-hour programme is a nationally standardized DIHK certification. IHK handles registration, certification, and marketing; HySON provides technical content and instruction.
• IHK Erfurt (Chamber of Industry and Commerce Erfurt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHK Erfurt and HySON co-deliver the 'Fachexperte für Wasserstoffanwendungen' IHK certificate programme at the WaldResort Am Nationalpark Hainich. The programme follows the same nationally standardized DIHK curriculum, with HySON providing scientific and technical instruction.
• Hochschule Coburg (University of Applied Sciences Coburg)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHySON has a cooperation agreement with Hochschule Coburg for the 'PraxisPLUS' dual study programme, enabling students in Energy Technology and Renewable Energies as well as Electrical Engineering to integrate practical periods and their thesis work at HySON. Students receive compensation and are integrated as potential future employees.
• DWA-Landesverband Sachsen/Thüringen (German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Wasserstoffkonferenz (Hydrogen Conference) series on hydrogen in the water sector, with the 3rd conference held on 01.10.2025 and the 4th scheduled for 07.10.2026. Jointly addresses sector coupling of hydrogen and water management, electrolytic oxygen utilization, and Power-to-X processes.
• DVGW-Landesgruppe Mitteldeutschland (German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water, Mid-Germany)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Wasserstoffkonferenz series alongside DWA and HySON e.V. DVGW contributes expertise in gas infrastructure and regulatory frameworks relevant to hydrogen applications in water and gas utilities.
• Forschungs- und Technologieverbund Thüringen e.V. (FThV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTVT organizes the 'get started 2gether' start-up funding competition on behalf of the Thuringian Ministry for Economic Affairs (TMWLLR). HySON serves as one of the WINAFO (non-profit economic research institute) partners enabling funded start-ups to access its infrastructure and expertise.
• Stadtverwaltung ApoldaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization for the get started 2gether programme; Apolda is one of the demonstration sites for hydrogen technologies within the h2well project.
• Graforce GmbHsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented at the Zukunftsforum CCU (November 2025) on low-carbon hydrogen from methane using plasma hydrolysis. Active in hydrogen research collaborations relevant to HySON's plasma pyrolysis work.
• Bauhaus-Universität WeimarsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaboration touchpoints: Prof. Mark Jentsch (Chair of Energy Systems) serves as chair of HySON's scientific advisory board; Dr. Sebastian Büttner presented at the 3rd Wasserstoffkonferenz on the Pho2zon project (electrolytic oxygen utilization in wastewater treatment); the university participates in HySON's Förderverein. Represents a core academic partner in the h2well ecosystem.
• TU Ilmenau (Technische Universität Ilmenau)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Tobias Reimann (Chair of Industrial Electronics) serves on HySON's scientific advisory board. The university participates in HySON's Förderverein. Collaboration focuses on electrical engineering and power electronics for hydrogen applications.
• ZSW – Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-WürttembergsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Jochen Brellochs from ZSW presented on OxyCO2 (oxyfuel combustion of sewage sludge with electrolytic oxygen for Power-to-X) at the 3rd Wasserstoffkonferenz. Represents a national-level research partner on hydrogen and CCU technologies.
• Fraunhofer IKTSsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems participates in HySON's Förderverein, representing a key applied research partner in materials science and ceramics relevant to hydrogen applications.
• Bayernwerk Netz GmbHsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrid operator and member of HySON's Förderverein. Provides infrastructure perspective on hydrogen grid integration and energy distribution.
• SCHOTT AGsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational specialty glass manufacturer and member of HySON's Förderverein, with potential interest in hydrogen-compatible glass materials and specialty glass applications in hydrogen infrastructure.
• KYROS Hydrogen SolutionssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrogen solutions company and Förderverein member. Uwe Eckardt, a KYROS representative, serves on HySON's scientific advisory board. Active in regional hydrogen technology deployment.
• TÜV ThüringenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical inspection authority and member of HySON's Förderverein. Contributes expertise in safety, certification, and regulatory compliance relevant to hydrogen systems.
• METROPOLREGION MITTELDEUTSCHLAND Management GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJörn-Heinrich Tobaben, representing the Metropolregion Mitteldeutschland, serves on HySON's scientific advisory board. Connects HySON to the broader Central German metropolitan region network.
• ifo Institut (ifescA GmbH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of HySON's Förderverein. Represents economic research and analysis perspective on hydrogen market development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer ISE (Institut für Solare Energiesysteme): Freiburg-based Fraunhofer institute covering hydrogen production via electrolysis, sector coupling, and energy systems analysis. Overlaps with HySON's sector-coupling and hydrogen generation research themes at substantially larger scale and with broader national mandate.
• Fraunhofer IKTS (Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme): Large Fraunhofer applied research institute covering ceramics, materials testing, and hydrogen-related components. Overlaps with HySON in materials characterization and hydrogen component testing but operates at substantially greater scale and with a broader materials mandate; already a Förderverein member.
• Fraunhofer IWU (Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen und Umformtechnik): Chemnitz-based Fraunhofer institute covering hydrogen production systems, manufacturing technology, and process engineering. Comparable in regional east-German positioning and hydrogen systems research mandate, though operating at materially greater scale.

Direct peers

• OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH: Aachen-based non-profit applied research institute focused on fuels, hydrogen, and energy carriers. Closely mirrors HySON's gGmbH non-profit structure and applied hydrogen testing/characterization scope, making it one of the most structurally comparable peers in the German ecosystem.
• ZSW – Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg: Stuttgart-based applied research institute covering the full hydrogen value chain from production (electrolysis) through storage to fuel cells, with a hydrogen analytics and testing lab portfolio. Closest national analogue to HySON's applied hydrogen R&D model; already a documented HySON partner, indicating direct operational overlap.
• DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH: Dresden-based applied research and testing services provider focused on gas technology, hydrogen, and environmental engineering. Directly comparable to HySON as an independent testing and consulting institute serving the hydrogen value chain in eastern Germany, with overlapping services in gas analytics, material testing, and hydrogen infrastructure advisory.
• Gas- und Wärme-Institut Essen e.V. (GWI): Essen-based non-profit institute providing gas technology research, hydrogen testing, and DVGW-aligned certification services. Directly comparable to HySON in hydrogen quality analytics, gas infrastructure research, and DVGW/DWA-adjacent training and certification offerings.

Emerging players

• Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH: Erlangen-based company commercializing liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology for hydrogen storage and transport. Adjacent peer sharing HySON's hydrogen storage and infrastructure focus but operating as a venture-backed commercial technology company with proprietary LOHC chemistry.
• TÜV Thüringen: Erfurt-based technical inspection and certification body, already a HySON Förderverein member. Overlaps in safety, certification, and regulatory compliance services relevant to hydrogen infrastructure, with TÜV Thüringen positioned as a potential certification-partner / competitor to HySON's training franchise.
• Graforce GmbH: Berlin-based hydrogen technology company developing plasma-based methane splitting and electrolysis technologies. Comparable to HySON's plasma pyrolysis research line and already a documented HySON event partner (Zukunftsforum CCU 2025), but operating as a commercial technology company rather than a non-profit research institute.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hyson-institut
• Instagraminstagram.com/hyson_institut
• Xx.com/hysoninstitut
• Facebookfacebook.com/hysoninstitut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about HySON