Consortium & Partners

HyReCo brings together leading research organisations and an industrial SME from Germany, France and the Czech Republic. The consortium covers the full chain from high‑rate manufacturing and AEM cell design to advanced modelling, AI and digital twins, supported by industrial and cluster partners.

Core Partners

Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU (Germany)

Fraunhofer IWU is the project coordinator of HyReCo. The institute is a leading R&D partner in production technology and acts as the reference factory for high‑rate hydrogen system production (Referenzfabrik.H2).

  • Roles in HyReCo
    • Project coordination and work package leadership (WP3, WP6).
    • Design and development of the HyReCo AEM cell and 10‑cell demonstrator.
    • Development and testing of bipolar (half) plates, PTL and stack components.
    • Manufacturing cost analysis and TRL/scale‑up concepts.
    • Integration of LCA/LCC results into design optimisation.
  • Core expertise
    • Electrolyser and fuel cell cell/stack/system design (PEM and AEM).
    • High‑rate manufacturing technologies (forming, roll embossing, joining).
    • Digital twins for fuel cells and electrolysers (e.g. FRHY, H2Giga, HZwo‑DigiTwin).

Albert Schmutzler Tools & Dies (Germany)

Albert Schmutzler is an SME with more than 100 years of history in precision toolmaking and forming technology. The company specialises in sheet metal tools and forming solutions for complex structures such as bipolar plates.

  • Roles in HyReCo
    • Lead for AEM cell concept design and model demonstrator (WP1).
    • Mechanical design and manufacturing of tools for forming BPP and stack components.
    • Assembly of the HyReCo 10‑cell stack and support of validation and optimisation.
  • Core expertise
    • Design and manufacturing of forming tools for metallic and graphite BPP.
    • High‑precision machining (milling, turning, grinding, EDM, laser).
    • Prototyping and try‑out presses for BPP production.

Université Polytechnique Hauts‑de‑France / INSA Hauts‑de‑France (UPHF, France)

UPHF / INSA Hauts‑de‑France leads the development of functional models and contributes to membrane and PTL analysis. Researchers are embedded in the LAMIH UMR CNRS 8201 laboratory.

  • Roles in HyReCo
    • Lead of WP2 (Development of Functional Models) and WP5 (Validation & Optimisation).
    • Structural, electrochemical and fluid‑dynamic modelling (0D–3D).
    • Material and degradation models for membranes, PTL, BPP and end plates.
    • Design and analysis of stress tests and durability protocols for membranes.
    • Contribution to model reduction and AI‑based surrogate models for the digital twin.
  • Core expertise
    • Computational fluid dynamics, multi‑physics modelling and model reduction.
    • Thermodynamics, transport phenomena, turbulence and stability.
    • AI‑enhanced modelling and uncertainty quantification.

VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic)

VSB leads the development and implementation of the digital twin and data infrastructure. The team is based in the Department of Cybernetics and Biomedical Engineering.

  • Roles in HyReCo
    • Lead of WP4 (Digital Twin Development).
    • Design of measurement architecture, sensor concept and data storage.
    • AI‑based data analysis and surrogate modelling (including INNs).
    • Implementation of the HyReCo digital twin and integration with monitoring/control.
    • Contribution to validation and optimisation in WP5.
  • Core expertise
    • Automation, control and industrial measurement systems.
    • Digital twins, robotics, virtual commissioning.
    • AI and data‑driven modelling for industrial applications.

Associated Partners & Advisory Board

HyReCo is supported by an industrial advisory board and several associated partners from materials, component manufacturing, testing, digital services and hydrogen clusters.

  • HZwo e.V. – Saxon Hydrogen Innovation Cluster (DE)

    Provides access to a broad hydrogen value‑creation network and supports dissemination via project colloquia, workshops and public events.
  • Carbon ID (FR)

    Specialist in complex carbon and graphite composite parts; develops ultra‑thin graphite‑based composite films and bipolar half plates.
  • Chemours

    Supplier of ion exchange membranes; supports membrane selection and performance evaluation.
  • Haver & Boecker

    Manufacturer of technical wire mesh; supports PTL material development.
  • MATERIALOVY A METALURGICKY VYZKUM s.r.o. (CZ)

    Materials and metallurgical research; supports material characterisation.
  • Capgemini Engineering

    Provides expertise and tools for LCA and LCC, and digital services.
  • WEVO‑CHEMIE GmbH

    Manufacturer of industrial adhesives and liquid sealing materials; supports gasket and sealing concepts.
  • Further partners: ATEQ, ARMATURY Group, hydrogen clusters such as the Moravian‑Silesian Hydrogen Cluster and Tenerrdis.

Management & Governance

HyReCo is managed by Fraunhofer IWU as coordinator. A project management structure with regular steering meetings ensures scientific progress, risk management and adherence to time and budget.

  • Project Coordinator: Dr‑Ing. Dipl.‑Wirtsch.‑Ing. Ulrike Beyer, Head of Referenzfabrik.H2, Fraunhofer IWU.
  • Work Package Leads:
    • WP1: Albert Schmutzler / Fraunhofer IWU.
    • WP2 & WP5: UPHF.
    • WP3 & WP6: Fraunhofer IWU.
    • WP4: VSB.
  • Advisory Board: representatives from component suppliers, material developers, testing and measurement providers, digital services and hydrogen clusters.

Gender Equality and Diversity

All partners follow institutional Gender Equality Plans in line with European guidance. The project monitors gender balance in leadership and participation, promotes equal opportunities and work‑life balance, and implements measures against discrimination and harassment.