Ionysis Gmbh

What Ionysis Gmbh does

Ionysis GmbH is a Freiburg, Germany-based deep-tech company founded in September 2022 as a spin-off from Hahn-Schickard and the University of Freiburg's Electrochemical Energy Systems (EES) Group. The company develops membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), the core electrochemical component of fuel cells and electrolyzers, with two distinct product families: high-temperature PEMFC (HT-PEMFC) MEAs developed within the BMBF-funded '105scaled' project (achieving beyond 1 A/cm² at 0.6 V at 160°C without external humidification), and PFAS-free MEAs developed under the EU EIC Transition project ENABLER with partners ReCatalyst and EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (achieving up to 2 A/cm² at 0.65 V with performance parity to conventional PFSA-based reference cells). The technology platform centers on hydrocarbon-based catalyst-coated membranes that reduce or eliminate perfluorinated substances while maintaining electrochemical performance, addressing anticipated regulatory pressure on PFAS in clean-energy components.

The company operates a B2B enterprise sales model targeting fuel cell and electrolyzer manufacturers, with sales conducted via direct quote requests and scheduled meetings ([email protected], [email protected]). As of early 2026, the team has grown to 26 employees, anchored by CTO Dr. Matthias Breitwieser (MEA design and scalable production) and CFO Lisa Langer. The company has secured ISO 9001 certification from DEKRA and seed financing from two strategic partners, with non-dilutive funding from both BMBF (Germany) and the European Innovation Council (ENABLER project). Its distribution posture is global, though the operating geography is concentrated in Europe with named commercial partners including EKPO (stack assembly and validation on the NM12 platform) and ReCatalyst (catalyst supply).

Name

Ionysis Gmbh

Legal name

ionysis GmbH

Website

https://ionysis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ionysis GmbH is a Freiburg-based deep-tech spin-off (2022) from Hahn-Schickard and the University of Freiburg that develops PFAS-free and high-temperature membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) for fuel cell and electrolyzer manufacturers, targeting B2B enterprise sales globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fuel Cell and Electrolyzer Components

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM) (EUACALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Battery & Energy Storage High-Purity Chemicals (Electrolyte salts/solvents, additives) (IMAEAKAM)

Keywords

• Membrane electrode assemblies
• Fuel cell components
• Electrolyzer components
• PFAS-free MEA technology
• Electrochemical converters

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. MEA Product Sales: Sale of membrane-electrode assemblies for fuel cells and electrolyzers to manufacturers and validation partners

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ionysis develops and manufactures membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) — the core electrochemical converter components — for use in fuel cells and electrolyzers. Its product portfolio includes PFAS-free catalyst-coated membranes achieving performance parity with conventional PFSA-based reference cells, and high-temperature PEMFC (HT-PEMFC) MEAs that operate at 160°C without external gas humidification. The company has transferred laboratory-scale MEA concepts to scalable coating processes for industrial production.

Product overview

ionysis GmbH develops membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) — the core electrochemical converter components — as a unified product line targeting both fuel cells and electrolyzers. The portfolio consists of two main product families: (1) High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell MEAs (HT-PEMFC MEAs) developed within the BMBF-funded '105scaled' project, using hydrocarbon-based materials for operation up to 160°C without humidification; and (2) PFAS-Free MEAs developed under the EIC Transition project ENABLER with partners ReCatalyst and EKPO, designed to eliminate perfluorinated substances while maintaining full performance parity. Both product lines share ionysis' core technology platform — catalyst-coated membranes with reduced or eliminated PFAS content — differing in thermal operating range and material architecture. The company also produces catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) as intermediate products within these MEA lines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Membrane-Electrode-Assemblies (HT-PEMFC MEAs) Scalable prototype MEAs designed for high-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cells operating at 160°C without external gas humidification, achieving beyond 1 A/cm² at 0.6 V with 150 kPa back pressure. Targeted at fuel cell manufacturers developing HT-PEMFC systems for mobility and stationary applications.
• PFAS-Free Membrane-Electrode-Assemblies Fuel cell MEAs built with hydrocarbon-based materials containing no perfluorinated substances (PFAS), achieving up to 2 A/cm² at 0.65 V performance parity with conventional PFSA-based cells. Targeted at fuel cell manufacturers seeking to eliminate PFAS content while maintaining electrochemical performance benchmarks.

Quantifiable outcome

• PFAS-free MEAs achieved current densities up to 2 A/cm² at 0.65V, matching state-of-the-art PFSA-based reference cells
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EKPO Fuel Cell TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Joint development partnership within EIC Transition project ENABLER. EKPO assembled, operated and tested a fully PFAS-free PEM fuel cell short stack using ionysis PFAS-free catalyst-coated membranes, demonstrating fundamental feasibility at pilot level.
• ReCatalystcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2026Co-development partnership within ENABLER project. ReCatalyst provides high-performance catalysts for PFAS-free MEA development. Slovenia-based deep-tech spin-out from National Institute of Chemistry focused on catalyst innovation for decarbonization technologies.
• University of FreiburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership through the Electrochemical Energy Systems (EES) Group. Joint development of HT-PEMFC MEAs within BMBF-funded project '105scaled'. EES provides advanced diagnostics for durability testing. Spin-off origin partner.
• Hahn-SchickardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and development partnership. Hahn-Schickard Institute for Microanalysis Systems co-develops and integrates novel testing setups and analytical tools. Spin-off origin partner along with University of Freiburg.
• German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)coreOthersGovernment funding for '105scaled' project (grant number: 03SF0719C) focused on developing hydrocarbon-based MEAs for market deployment. Project runs through June 2026.
• European Innovation Council (EIC)coreOthersEuropean Union funding agency for ENABLER Transition project addressing PFAS replacement in fuel cell technology. Project combines complementary expertise in catalyst development, PFAS-free MEA technology, and industrial stack validation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DuPont: Long-standing supplier of perfluorinated ion-exchange membranes (Nafion™ predecessor and other membrane products) used in fuel cells and electrolyzers — directly comparable incumbent in the membrane supply Ionysis targets.
• Asahi Kasei: Major diversified chemical and membrane producer with significant PEM and anion-exchange membrane capabilities relevant to both fuel cells and electrolyzers.
• Nel ASA: Major PEM electrolyzer manufacturer and one of the largest potential customers for Ionysis' electrolyzer-grade MEAs, comparable as a downstream integrator of MEA components.
• Chemours Company: Manufacturer of Nafion™ PFSA proton exchange membranes, the dominant incumbent membrane chemistry Ionysis aims to replace. Broad incumbent supplying fuel cell, electrolyzer and chlor-alkali markets.
• ITM Power: UK-based PEM electrolyzer systems company, comparable downstream customer profile for Ionysis' electrolyzer MEA products and representative of the green-hydrogen demand thesis.
• Plug Power: Large PEM fuel cell systems integrator and a meaningful potential offtaker for PFAS-free MEAs; comparable as a benchmark for commercialization scale and MEA qualification dynamics.
• Ballard Power Systems: PEM fuel cell stack and systems integrator — comparable as a downstream customer/opponent in MEA supply decisions and as a benchmark for fuel cell commercialization timelines.

Direct peers

• Advent Technologies Holdings: Developer of high-temperature PEM (HT-PEM) membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells, closely comparable to Ionysis' HT-PEMFC MEA product line and shared focus on hydrocarbon / non-PFSA chemistries.
• PowerCell Sweden: Developer and manufacturer of HT-PEM fuel cell stacks and MEAs — direct peer in HT-PEMFC technology with comparable target applications in heavy-duty mobility and stationary power.
• W. L. Gore & Associates: Incumbent global leader in PEMFC MEA and membrane products (GORE-SELECT). Directly comparable to Ionysis as a specialized MEA/membrane supplier serving fuel cell OEMs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ionysis

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ionysis Gmbh