Founded in 2023 in Valencia, Spain, Matteco is a cleantech company dedicated to decarbonising the economy and accelerating the energy transition through advanced materials technology, particularly focusing on green hydrogen solutions. The company has developed high-performance PGM-free catalysts, catalytic coatings and electrodes for Alkaline and AEM electrolysis to enable more cost effective green hydrogen production by reducing both capital and operating costs. These innovations help electrolyser manufacturers and plant designers achieve their targets for the levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH). Matteco is already supplying and integrating its technology with manufacturers in Europe, North America and Asia.

Emerging from a decade of research, Matteco was co-founded by Zubi Labs, an impact company builder within the Zubi Group that focused on creating new business to solve social and environmental challenges. The company is expanding its manufacturing capacity to reach gigawatt scale by the end of 2024. As a spin-off from the University of Valencia, it combines the research expertise of Gonzalo Abellán and his group with the entrepreneurial spirit of Iker Marcaide, Chairman of the Zubi Group. Matteco is led by an experienced management team and is rapidly growing, aiming to reach 100 employees in 2025.

Electrification alone cannot meet global decarbonisation targets. Renewable fuels are essential for industries like steel and chemicals, long-distance transport, and surplus energy storage. Green hydrogen, as an energy vector, can significantly reduce carbon emissions, potentially contributing to 20% of the total reductions needed to reach net zero by 2050, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

However, today’s high production cost in comparison to hydrogen derived from fossil fuels remains a barrier to its large-scale deployment. Matteco competitive advantage is aligned with the main challenge for the market to grow at the required speed. And innovation is crucial to bridge this gap. “Our technology aims to make electrolysis more efficient,” says Gonzalo Abellán, CTO and co-founder of Matteco, “addressing the ambitious targets of installed electrolysis capacity needed by 2030.”

Current market standards in alkaline electrolysis suffer from poor efficiencies due to low-performance electrodes. Matteco’s patented catalysts, coatings, and electrodes revolutionise the electrolysis process, making it more efficient and scalable. “We are setting a new performance standard in alkaline and AEM electrolysis,” explains Iker Marcaide, CEO and co-founder of Matteco. By synthesising and scaling up a catalyst that outperforms existing catalysts, the company drastically reduces costs and enhances efficiency. Their electrodes promise higher current densities, lower energy consumption, superior stability, and the absence of critical raw materials, making their technology a cost-effective game-changer for green hydrogen production.

Facing challenges such as the cost of production, lack of industry standards, and the geostrategic aspect of avoiding critical materials, Matteco aims to become the industry standard and a key enabler of the hydrogen value chain. The project offers significant economic benefits, enabling a drastic reduction in both opex and capex, making green hydrogen adoption economically viable. “Our ambition is to serve an installed capacity of more than 500 GW of alkaline and AEM electrolysers over the next decade,” says Marcaide, “helping eliminate millions of metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.” By utilising abundant and cost-effective materials and eliminating the need for precious metals, Matteco makes electrolysis more economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

The company aims to secure a reliable supply of clean energy and support Europe’s objectives of technological breakthroughs and industrial leadership. Their solutions bridge the gap in hydrogen production costs, helping Europe solve the energy trilemma by providing universal access to affordable reliable clean energy.

Collaborating with leading research and industrial partners, Matteco is involved in a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (HERIA) project, SEAL-HYDROGEN, which aims to develop innovative, sustainable, and scalable alkaline electrolysis with zero critical raw materials. “Our partnerships are crucial for advancing our technology and achieving our goals,” notes Abellán.

Green hydrogen is crucial for the global energy transition, serving as a clean, versatile energy carrier that can decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. Matteco’s innovations contribute to securing Europe’s renewable energy supply and its position as a strategic industrial enclave. The company is set to open by end of 2024 a gigawatt factory in Valencia, with state-of-the-art facilities covering 10,000 square meters. They aim to achieve full commercial deployment and mass market adoption by 2026. “We are excited about our upcoming projects and the impact they will have on the hydrogen sector,” says Marcaide.

Matteco’s nanotechnology is accelerating the arrival of a new generation of alkaline electrolysers. The company has received several awards, including the Decarb Connect Europe Next Gen Award and the BASF-ICIQ Award in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “These awards validate our efforts and motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation,” says Abellán. Matteco’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Their commitment to advancing green hydrogen technology positions them as a key player in the global energy transition.

The technology developed by Matteco is not just about innovation; it’s about making a tangible impact on the environment and the economy. By reducing the reliance on precious metals and improving the efficiency of hydrogen production, the company is paving the way for a more sustainable future. Their approach to scaling up production and collaborating with other industry leaders and research institutions ensures that they are at the forefront of the green hydrogen revolution.

As the world moves towards a net-zero future, companies like Matteco are essential in driving the change needed to achieve these ambitious goals. “Our work in developing advanced materials for hydrogen production is a critical component in the broader effort to decarbonise the global economy,” concludes Marcaide, “and create a more sustainable world for future generations.” •