ZEM Fuel Systems
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSaint Andrews, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
ZEM Fuel Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZEM Fuel Systems
- Legal name
- ZEM Fuel Systems Limited
- Website
- https://zemfuelsystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZEM Fuel Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Fuel Cell Technology
- NAICS
- Electric Power Generation (22111), Industrial Gas Manufacturing (325120)
- SIC
- Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM) (EUACALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fuel Cell CHP (SOFC/PEM—Natural Gas/Biogas/Hydrogen) (EUACAKAG), Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC), Onsite Low-Carbon Heat & CHP (Electrified CHP, Fuel Cells, Renewable CHP) (EUABAJAI)
Keywords
Where ZEM Fuel Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Andrews
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
ZEM Fuel Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Project-based Research and Development Contracts: ZEM Fuel Systems generates revenue through government-funded research projects including Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition grants from the UK Department for Transport and Innovate UK. These projects fund development of ammonia fuel cell technology for maritime applications.
- Consultancy & Analysis Services: ZEM offers paid consultancy services in ceramic material & catalyst development, ceramic tube manufacture, catalyst development & analysis, electrochemical testing, Direct Ammonia Fuel Cells & Ammonia Cracking solutions for maritime decarbonisation.
- Clean Energy Solutions Licensing/Deployment: Revenue potential from licensing and deploying Direct Ammonia Fuel Cell technology and Ammonia Cracking systems for maritime applications, including cold ironing and onboard hydrogen generation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
ZEM Fuel Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZEM Fuel Systems develops and deploys Direct Ammonia Fuel Cell (DAFC) technology based on high-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) that convert ammonia directly into electricity with zero NOx and zero CO2 emissions for maritime applications. The company sells ammonia fuel cell products, ammonia cracking units, portable auxiliary power units, low-cost hydrogen production systems, and fleet life extension solutions, alongside consultancy services in ceramic materials, catalyst development, and electrochemical testing.
Product overview
ZEM Fuel Systems is a Scottish company founded in 2018 developing innovative zero-emission energy technologies for the maritime industry. The company offers a portfolio of ammonia-based fuel cell products centered on Direct Ammonia Fuel Cells (DAFCs) that convert ammonia directly to electricity without combustion. The core product line includes DAFCs for clean maritime power, ammonia cracking units (achieving above 99.5% conversion rates), portable auxiliary power units (kilowatt scale for cold ironing applications), low-cost hydrogen production via reversible solid oxide fuel cells, and fleet life extension solutions for retrofitting existing vessels with hydrogen fuel cell drives. Supporting these products are consultancy services for ceramic materials analysis, manufacturing optimisation, catalytic and surface analysis, and electrochemical testing. The products integrate with proton-conducting ceramic tubular cell technology developed in collaboration with the University of St. Andrews.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Direct Ammonia Fuel Cells (DAFCs) for Clean Maritime Power High-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) that directly convert ammonia to produce water and electricity with zero NOx emissions. When combusted, ammonia emits no CO2 emissions and is recognized as an alternative marine fuel for greenhouse gas reduction.
- Ammonia Cracking Unit High-temperature solid oxide fuel cell used as a direct ammonia cracking unit converting ammonia into hydrogen with high conversion efficiency and low costs. Demonstrated with ammonia conversion rates above 99.5%.
- Portable Auxiliary Power Units Zero carbon emissions fuel cell technology supplying auxiliary power in kilowatt scale for maritime applications including cold ironing (supplying electric power to vessels while stationary with main engines switched off). Can also be used onboard vessels during operations.
- Low-Cost Hydrogen Production Reversible high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell technology producing hydrogen at low cost through steam electrolysis using novel and highly efficient proton-conducting ceramic tubular cells.
- Fleet Life Extension Bridging technology solution converting bunker oil to hydrogen for fuel cell drive systems, avoiding local emissions and enabling in-shore mobility while avoiding decommissioning of current fuel infrastructure on-board existing vessels.
- Ceramic Materials Analysis & Development Services Consultancy services including catalyst development and manufacture, microstructure characterization, contamination detection and analysis, degradation assessment, material performance evaluation, and failure analysis for ceramic materials.
- Ceramic Manufacturing Optimisation Services Services covering ceramic tube manufacture, manufacturing scale-up support, dilatation mechanism analysis, sintering temperature optimisation, process parameter refinement, and quality control protocols.
- Catalytic & Surface Analysis Services Services including heterogeneous catalytic performance testing, surface composition analysis, particle size distribution measurement, surface area and porosity analysis, and catalyst optimization studies.
- Electrochemical Testing Services Services covering performance characterization, durability and stability testing, efficiency measurements, custom testing protocols, and battery and fuel cell evaluation.
- Clean Energy Solutions Consultancy Consultancy for Direct Ammonia Fuel Cells for maritime application, Ammonia Cracking for onboard Hydrogen generation, and gas/hydrogen separation and purification.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.5%+ ammonia conversion efficiency demonstrated in April 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use ZEM Fuel Systems
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
ZEM Fuel Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
ZEM Fuel Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.
- University of St AndrewscoreInternationally leading centre of solid state electrochemical research. ZEM partners with University of St Andrews on development of various fuel cell and electrolysis technologies including proton-conducting ceramic tubular cells for direct ammonia conversion. This partnership was recognised with Royal Society of Chemistry's Industry-Academia Collaboration Prize in 2023.
- SeaKing GroupcoreFounded in 2001, provides comprehensive electrical solutions to marine, industrial, commercial, military, and offshore sectors. ZEM collaborates with SeaKing to develop electrical systems for ammonia fuel cell integration in sea vessels and cold ironing applications.
- Eyemouth MarinecoreHistoric boat yard in Eyemouth Harbour on Scotland's south-east coast offering comprehensive facilities for commercial and leisure vessels. ZEM collaborated with Eyemouth Marine to demonstrate its ammonia fuel cell system for cold ironing in 2025, hosting the CMDC3 project demonstration.
- Port of Cromarty FirthcorePort home to innovators in offshore wind and green hydrogen with naturally-sheltered deep waters. ZEM collaborates with Port of Cromarty Firth to demonstrate its ammonia fuel cell system for cold ironing in 2025.
- Echandia Marine UK LimitedcoreExperts in battery and electric propulsion systems for maritime applications. Contributed to development of the auxiliary power unit for the CMDC3 project, aiding in the development of the battery APU integrated with ammonia fuel cell system.
- Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport PowerHousestrategicHub for developing green energy skills and supporting commercialisation of low-carbon hydrogen technologies. Part of one of the first two green freeports in Scotland. Aided in outreach of CMDC3 project to public and organised engagement events.
- Gerris TechnologiessupportingPartner in Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 6 project for developing feasibility study on integration of solutions to convert ammonia into hydrogen for torpedo propulsion systems.
- AdelansupportingPartner in Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 6 project for torpedo propulsion system integration.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ZEM Fuel Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ZEM Fuel Systems social profiles
Digital presenceZEM Fuel Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZEM Fuel Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
ZEM Fuel Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZEM Fuel Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ZEM Fuel Systems
What does ZEM Fuel Systems do?
ZEM Fuel Systems develops and deploys Direct Ammonia Fuel Cell (DAFC) technology based on high-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) that convert ammonia directly into electricity with zero NOx and zero CO2 emissions for maritime applications. The company sells ammonia fuel cell products, ammonia cracking units, portable auxiliary power units, low-cost hydrogen production systems, and fleet life extension solutions, alongside consultancy services in ceramic materials, catalyst development, and electrochemical testing.
Is ZEM Fuel Systems a public or private company?
ZEM Fuel Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ZEM Fuel Systems founded?
ZEM Fuel Systems was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ZEM Fuel Systems based?
ZEM Fuel Systems is headquartered in Saint Andrews, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ZEM Fuel Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Project-based Research and Development Contracts are the primary driver. The others are consultancy & Analysis Services and clean Energy Solutions Licensing/Deployment.
Does ZEM Fuel Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for ZEM Fuel Systems.
What industry is ZEM Fuel Systems in?
ZEM Fuel Systems's product category is Maritime Fuel Cell Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUACALAK, Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM), with a secondary code of EUACAKAG, Fuel Cell CHP (SOFC/PEM—Natural Gas/Biogas/Hydrogen). Its NAICS code is 22111 and its SIC code is 4991.