Germany-based energy tech startup Enapter gets $11.27M funding to develop the first scalable electrolyzer that replaces fossil fuels with green hydrogen

Enapter, a Saerbeck, Germany-based energy startup that turns water electrolysis into universal and highly efficient hydrogen generators, announced today it has raised $11.27 million funding to develop and deploy the pioneering, automated production line it needs to massively scale up electrolyzer manufacturing and help flip global warming.

The funding was backed by Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation, and Energy. The funding will also generate up to 66 new jobs. Headquartered in Pisa, Italy, Enapter was founded in 2017 by Sebastian-Justus Schmidt and Vaitea Cowan.

Enapter produces highly efficient hydrogen generators based on Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolysis technology. Its patent-protected modular technology has a 10-year track record and allows for the mass production of low-cost, plug-&-play electrolyzers for green hydrogen at any scale. They are used in 36 countries, in sectors like energy, mobility, industry, heating, and telecommunications. Enapter has offices in Italy, Germany, Thailand, and Russia.

The announcement comes as the company prepares for the autumn construction start of its “Enapter Campus” mass-production and R&D site. It today makes its AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) electrolyzers in serial production. AEM is widely considered by scientists to be the most cost-efficient electrolysis technology. Its mass production will turn cost-reduction potential into reality and bring global hydrogen generation targets within reach.

“With the ELEFACT project, we are forging ahead with ramping up the hydrogen industry. The industrial mass production of highly innovative electrolyzers will enable us to deploy low-cost green hydrogen in many sectors. This technology holds enormous potential for the climate-friendly conversion of our industry and makes an important contribution to achieving climate protection goals. With hydrogen, we are creating the job opportunities of tomorrow.”– Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, North Rhine-Westphalia State Minister for Economy, Innovation, Digitalisation, and Energy.

The new production line will be capable of automated mass production of AEM electrolyzer components, as well as their autonomous assembly into electrolyzer cores and the assembly and testing of the finished electrolyzer modules. Professors from project partner Münster University of Applied Sciences will provide additional expertise on electrochemistry matters.

“This machinery will break new ground, release the decarbonizing power of AEM technology and provide a blueprint for expansion,” says Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, Chairman of Enapter AG. “The automated mass production possible with our standardized AEM electrolyzers will make green hydrogen affordable, accessible, and scalable.”