Ambartec Ag
AMBARTEC AG develops and is commercializing a proprietary iron-oxide-based hydrogen storage technology (HyCS®) packaged in standard 20-foot containers, targeting municipal utilities, steel mills, and chemical companies with hardware sales, engineering services, and planned hydrogen supply from 2026.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersDresden, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ambartec Ag does
AMBARTEC AG is a Dresden-headquartered German stock corporation (AG) that has commercialized a proprietary iron-oxide-based hydrogen storage technology branded as HyCS® (Hydrogen Compact Storage). Hydrogen is chemically bound to iron oxide nuggets — charging reduces iron oxide to iron, while steam-driven discharge re-oxidizes the iron and releases high-purity hydrogen. The iron nugget vessels are installed in standard 20-foot containers, are not classified as hazardous materials, and reach storage densities of approximately 3 kWh per liter — roughly 10x conventional 300-bar pressure storage, materially higher than Li-ion (0.3 kWh/L) and competitive with liquid hydrogen (2 kWh/L). Two commercial hardware products exist: the H2compact 1000 (90 kg H2, 3 MWh per 1,000-litre unit, launched April 2024) and the H2compact 6000 Plus (800 kg H2, 26 MWh per 6,000-litre container, entering series production in 2025–2026 following LRQA design approval under Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU).
The company's revenue model combines hardware sales and leases of H2compact containers, on-site engineering and integration support (including to co-development partner Rouge H2 Engineering on the Chemical Looping Hydrogen / H2Loop process for steel mills), and a planned 2026 hydrogen supply service delivering recycled 'silver hydrogen' through iron nugget containers to industrial buyers without hydrogen pipeline access. Primary target segments are municipal utilities operating CHP and district heating plants, steel producers seeking to convert blast furnace and coke oven gases into clean hydrogen and concentrated CO2, and chemical companies that both consume and produce hydrogen as a byproduct. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales supplemented by the Swiss channel partner Envenion GmbH and by an OEM manufacturing agreement with Purem by Eberspächer at its Wilsdruff, Saxony facility for series production.
AMBARTEC was founded in 2021 (CEO Matthias Rudloff, CTO Uwe Pahl), with operations spanning its Dresden headquarters, a Freiberg R&D and demonstration site developed with TU Bergakademie Freiberg (described as Europe's first hydrogen storage power plant), and the Wilsdruff manufacturing site operated by Purem. Capitalization to date is anchored by investor Andreas Keil and approximately €4 million in grant funding from the Free State of Saxony and the EU under the Joint R&D Project Funding 2021–2027 programme. Revenue, pricing, and commercial unit volumes are not publicly disclosed.
Ambartec Ag firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ambartec Ag
- Legal name
- AMBARtec AG
- Website
- https://ambartec.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AMBARTEC AG develops and is commercializing a proprietary iron-oxide-based hydrogen storage technology (HyCS®) packaged in standard 20-foot containers, targeting municipal utilities, steel mills, and chemical companies with hardware sales, engineering services, and planned hydrogen supply from 2026.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ambartec Ag industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hydrogen Storage Systems
- NAICS
- Metal Tank (Heavy Gauge) Manufacturing (33242), Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing (3324)
- SIC
- Metal Shipping Barrels, Drums, Kegs & Pails (3412), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hydrogen Storage Materials & Solid-State Storage (Metal Hydrides, Adsorbents) (EUAFAEAG)
Keywords
Where Ambartec Ag is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dresden
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Ambartec Ag business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hydrogen Storage System Sales: Sale and lease of H2compact hydrogen storage containers (H2compact 1000, H2compact 6000) to industrial companies, municipal utilities, and other enterprises. Containers are sold as physical hardware units installed in 20-foot standard containers. Series production planned from 2026, targeting several hundred containers per year by 2028.
- Hydrogen Delivery (Silver Hydrogen): Supply of recycled hydrogen ('silver hydrogen') produced as a byproduct in various industrial processes, collected and delivered to customers via iron nugget containers. Customers can purchase hydrogen at competitive prices from 2026 without needing hydrogen grid connection.
- Technology Support & Engineering Services: AMBARtec provides technological support for partners such as Rouge H2 Engineering, leveraging employee expertise in iron oxide nuggets and process scaling. Also provides engineering support for plant integration.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ambartec Ag product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AMBARtec AG develops and sells iron oxide-based hydrogen storage systems based on its proprietary HyCS\u00ae (Hydrogen Compact Storage) technology. Its core products are modular storage units installed in standard 20-foot containers: the H2compact 1000 (90 kg H2, 3 MWh) and the H2compact 6000 Plus (800 kg H2, 26 MWh). The technology uses iron oxide nuggets that are reduced by hydrogen during charging and re-oxidized by steam during discharge, enabling safe, compact, and non-hazardous hydrogen storage and transport.
Product overview
AMBARtec AG offers a modular product portfolio centered on its proprietary HyCS® (Hydrogen Compact Storage) iron oxide-based hydrogen storage technology. The core products are the H2compact 1000 (1,000-liter unit, 90 kg H2, 3 MWh) and H2compact 6000 Plus (6,000-liter container, 800 kg H2, 26 MWh), which use iron oxide nuggets as the storage medium installed in standard 20-foot containers for transport via crane, ship, truck, or rail. The H2compact 6000 Plus is entering series production with partner Purem by Eberspächer. In parallel, the H2Loop/Chemical Looping Hydrogen process — developed with Rouge H2 Engineering AG — enables steel mills to convert metallurgical gases into clean hydrogen and concentrated CO2. AMBARtec also operates Europe's first hydrogen storage demonstration plant in Freiberg and offers hydrogen supply services through its partner network for industrial customers not yet connected to a hydrogen pipeline.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- H2compact 6000 Plus Iron oxide nugget-based modular hydrogen storage system installed in a standard 20-foot container, storing 800 kg of hydrogen (26 MWh). Designed for industrial hydrogen storage and transport via existing logistics infrastructure. Series production with partner Purem by Ebersp\u00e4cher.
- H2compact 1000 Compact 1000-liter iron oxide-based hydrogen storage unit storing 90 kg of hydrogen (3 MWh), designed for industrial energy storage and self-sufficient supply applications, integrable into 20-foot containers and handled via standard logistics.
- HyCS\u00ae (Hydrogen Compact Storage) Technology Platform Proprietary iron oxide-based hydrogen storage technology platform. During charging, hydrogen reduces the iron oxide storage medium to iron; during discharge, steam is added to re-oxidize iron and release hydrogen. Achieves efficiencies above 80% when integrated with high-temperature SOEC and SOFC. Enables storage, transport, and back-conversion of hydrogen.
- Iron Oxide Nuggets (Storage Medium) Iron-based storage medium (resembling small stones) used within HyCS\u00ae storage systems. When loaded with hydrogen, the nugget vessels contain only iron - hydrogen cannot escape - eliminating hazardous material classification, complex port infrastructure, and ship retrofit requirements.
- H2Loop / Chemical Looping Hydrogen (CLH) Process Two-stage process co-developed with Rouge H2 Engineering AG that converts metallurgical blast furnace gases, coke oven gases, and converter gases into clean hydrogen and concentrated CO2. Based on the steam-iron principle using iron oxide nuggets, enabling climate-neutral steel production with CO2 suitable for CCU or CCS processes.
- Hydrogen Supply Service via Partner Network Supply service offering industrial companies (especially SMEs) climate-neutral hydrogen, including recycled 'silver hydrogen' from industrial byproducts, delivered via iron nugget containers through AMBARtec's partner network starting 2026. Customers can purchase hydrogen at competitive prices without hydrogen grid connection or costly infrastructure adaptations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Storage density of ~3 kWh/liter, compared to 0.3 kWh/liter for Li-ion batteries and 2 kWh/liter for liquid hydrogen
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ambartec Ag
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Ambartec Ag technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Ambartec Ag partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Purem by EberspächercoreFormal MoU signed 11 February 2025 between CEO Matthias Rudloff and Benjamin Brenkel (EVP BU Europe). Purem to scale production to several hundred 20-foot containers per year from 2028. Each container contains 10 tanks carrying up to 800 kg H2 equivalent.
- Purem by EberspächercorePurem by Eberspächer (Esslingen near Stuttgart) collaborates with AMBARtec on series production of iron nugget hydrogen storage tanks and 20-foot container integration. Following MoU signing in January 2025, LRQA Germany certified the nugget vessel design per Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU. Purem's Wilsdruff facility in Saxony handles manufacturing, leveraging expertise in automated welding and industrial series production. The partnership extends beyond container manufacturing, with Purem connecting AMBARtec to strategic partners in the steel industry and hydrogen economy.
- Rouge H2 Engineering AGcoreAMBARtec and Rouge H2 Engineering collaborate in the EU-funded H2LOOP project (RFCS-BIG-TICKET programme) to decarbonize the steel industry. Rouge H2 Engineering provides its patented Chemical Looping Hydrogen (CLH) process to produce hydrogen from metallurgical gases. AMBARtec contributes expertise in iron oxide nuggets and plant scaling. Project partners include VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut GmbH (BFI), Acciaierie d'Italia (Italy's largest steel mill), and Polytechnische Universität Turin. The four-year project focuses on demonstrating feasibility and efficiency of producing hydrogen from blast furnace gases.
- Envenion GmbHminorAMBARtec and Envenion GmbH (Zurich area, Switzerland) partnership to deploy HyCS® hydrogen storage technology in Switzerland and neighboring regions. Envenion specializes in climate-friendly, low-emission energy supply solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, offering planning, project management, and long-term support.
- VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut GmbH (BFI)minorGerman research center with over 50 years of experience in the steel industry. Partner in the EU H2LOOP project alongside AMBARtec, Rouge H2 Engineering, Acciaierie d'Italia, and Polytechnische Universität Turin.
- TU Bergakademie FreibergminorR&D partner in the joint project preparing for series production of hydrogen storage systems. The collaboration, co-funded with €4 million from the Free State of Saxony and the EU, supports the development of Europe's first hydrogen storage power plant in Freiberg.
- Acciaierie d'ItaliaminorItaly's largest steel mill, operating under extraordinary administration in Taranto. Partner in the EU H2LOOP project where the pilot plant for hydrogen production from metallurgical gases is being implemented.
- Polytechnic University of TurinminorLeading Italian university in engineering, participating in the EU H2LOOP project as a research and academic partner.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Ambartec Ag competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies: Germany-based LOHC (liquid organic hydrogen carrier) hydrogen storage company enabling safe transport of hydrogen via standard fuel oil logistics. Comparable to AMBARTEC's mission of making H2 transport and storage safer and infrastructure-agnostic.
- NPROXX: Manufacturer of composite high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks for industrial, mobility, and refueling applications. Comparable to AMBARTEC as a focused hydrogen storage hardware specialist addressing transport and stationary use cases.
- McPhy Energy: European hydrogen equipment specialist producing electrolyzers and low-pressure solid-state hydrogen storage stations. Highly comparable to AMBARTEC because both target compact, decentralized H2 storage and supply for industrial and mobility applications.
- Hexagon Purus: Hydrogen storage and transportation systems provider using Type IV composite pressure vessels for trucks, trailers, and stationary applications. Comparable to AMBARTEC's emphasis on enabling hydrogen transport via standardized logistics infrastructure.
- Plastic Omnium: Tier-1 automotive supplier with hydrogen storage business (high-pressure Type IV tanks) for mobility and industrial applications. Comparable to AMBARTEC as a hydrogen storage hardware supplier targeting industrial and mobility customers.
- Rouge H2 Engineering: Swiss developer of the patented Chemical Looping Hydrogen (CLH) process for converting industrial gases into clean H2 using iron oxide. Directly comparable to AMBARTEC because it operates the same iron oxide chemistry, in fact partnered with AMBARTEC in the H2LOOP project.
Broad incumbents
- Nel ASA: Norwegian hydrogen technology company producing electrolyzers and fueling station storage. Comparable to AMBARTEC as a broader hydrogen ecosystem player, though Nel focuses on production and refueling rather than AMBARTEC's stationary iron-oxide storage niche.
- Air Products and Chemicals: Global industrial gases leader and major green/blue hydrogen infrastructure developer. Comparable to AMBARTEC as a hydrogen supply/storage incumbent with overlapping industrial and municipal customers in Europe.
- ITM Power: UK PEM electrolyzer and hydrogen refueling station provider. Comparable to AMBARTEC in the hydrogen value chain but focuses on production and refueling, serving overlapping industrial/municipal customers in Europe.
- Linde: Global industrial gases major with a significant hydrogen production, storage, and distribution business. Comparable to AMBARTEC as a hydrogen storage/logistics incumbent, though Linde operates compressed and liquid H2 at scale rather than solid-state iron-oxide media.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ambartec Ag social profiles
Digital presenceAmbartec Ag compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Ambartec Ag financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ambartec Ag leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Ambartec Ag funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ambartec Ag 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 Ambartec Ag
What does Ambartec Ag do?
AMBARtec AG develops and sells iron oxide-based hydrogen storage systems based on its proprietary HyCS\u00ae (Hydrogen Compact Storage) technology. Its core products are modular storage units installed in standard 20-foot containers: the H2compact 1000 (90 kg H2, 3 MWh) and the H2compact 6000 Plus (800 kg H2, 26 MWh). The technology uses iron oxide nuggets that are reduced by hydrogen during charging and re-oxidized by steam during discharge, enabling safe, compact, and non-hazardous hydrogen storage and transport.
Is Ambartec Ag a public or private company?
Ambartec Ag is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Ambartec Ag founded?
Ambartec Ag was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ambartec Ag based?
Ambartec Ag is headquartered in Dresden, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Ambartec Ag make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hydrogen Storage System Sales are the primary driver. The others are hydrogen Delivery (Silver Hydrogen) and technology Support & Engineering Services.
Who are Ambartec Ag's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, NPROXX, McPhy Energy, Hexagon Purus, Plastic Omnium and Rouge H2 Engineering. Broad incumbents are Nel ASA, Air Products and Chemicals, ITM Power and Linde.
Does Ambartec Ag have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ambartec Ag.
What industry is Ambartec Ag in?
Ambartec Ag's product category is Hydrogen Storage Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAFAEAG, Hydrogen Storage Materials & Solid-State Storage (Metal Hydrides, Adsorbents). Its NAICS code is 33242 and its SIC code is 3412.