Overview

Green hydrogen production must scale up significantly to achieve our net-zero ambitions. However, the water electrolysis (WE) market is a challenging operational landscape.

Engineers must solve the “system dilemma” of optimizing performance, safety and durability  — where strengthening one vector means compromising on the others. 

GORE® PEM for Water Electrolysis M275.80 breaks through performance barriers by optimizing all three vectors at the same time.

Our advanced membrane achieves new levels of hydrogen electrolysis efficiency and scalability, lowering the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH).

For almost three decades, we've led the market in producing proton exchange membranes (PEM) for fuel cells.

Today, our state-of-the art production facilities and enterprise capabilities are available immediately to support multi-gigawatt water electrolysis systems.

Product Benefits

Advantages of GORE PEM for Water Electrolysis

Water electrolysis OPEX must be reduced to achieve the LCOH necessary for large-scale WE commercialisation.

Our advanced material attributes tackle technology trade-offs, improving stack efficiency, reducing hydrogen plant operating expenses and mitigating risks in hydrogen production.

Graph showing the wider operating range of Gore's additive technology
Graph showing Gore's greater cell voltage efficiencies
Graph showing the greater mechanical stability of Gore's PEM
Gore: a materials science company

Our technical expertise allows us to engineer PEM to meet the individual requirements of the most demanding applications.

For PEM water electrolysis systems, we designed and developed a membrane that is both very thin and very stable — enabling effective, durable and safe hydrogen production.

Gore’s proprietary ePTFE-reinforced layerUnique perfluorinated ionomerAdvanced additive technology
Improving durability and performance with thin, highly conductive, mechanically durable membranes.Enabling increased performance with high proton conductance + high voltage efficiencyProviding better durability and safety with enhanced chemical durability + reduced H2 crossover
PEM vs other electrolysis technologies
An industrial power plant producing hydrogen energy

HYDROGEN INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Expert insights on the global clean energy ecosystem >

From products to partnerships, there are many factors to consider between different electrolysis technologies.

Gore believes each one has an important role to play in the water electrolysis ecosystem to accelerate the clean energy transition.

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)

AttributesTechnology Readiness Level (TRL)

Positive

  • Low OPEX (due to higher efficiency)
  • Most ‘flexible’ in application:
    • Operates effectively at variable power levels (including low current density) making it suitable for intermittent, renewable energy sources.
    • Has low gas permeability even at low current densities, allowing a wide operating range and enabling continuous hydrogen production.
  • Smallest footprint, enabling higher overall system design flexibility (e.g., offshore applications)
  • Highest hydrogen gas purity 
  • H2 output already pressurized, eliminating the need for an additional compressor 
     

Negative

  • Noble metal catalyst material
TRL 8 and 9 indicates proven performance in many industry applications

Alkaline (ALK)

AttributesTechnology Readiness Level (TRL)

Positive

  • Low CAPEX (low-cost materials)

Negative

  • Slow cold start (vs. PEM)
  • Low dynamic operation (must be shut down at low current densities
  • Caustic, liquid electrolyte
  • H2 output comes at atmospheric pressure
TRL 9 indicates most mature, widespread and scaled technology

Solid Oxide (SOEC)

AttributesTechnology Readiness Level (TRL)

Positive

  • Highest electrical efficiency

Negative

  • Least flexible
  • Limited deployment
  • Limited stack life
  • Very high temperature operation (>750 °C)
TRL 7-8 indicates advancing readiness and prototypes in the market

Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM)

AttributesTechnology Readiness Level (TRL)

Positive

  • Very flexible + highly efficient technology with small footprint and low OPEX
  • Low CAPEX (no noble metal catalyst materials)
  • Lower alkalinity than ALK

Negative

  • Low stack life and small-scale deployment
TRL 5-7 indicates that technology is in early stage project development

Why Choose Gore?

Gore has been at the forefront of PEM technology for nearly three decades, championing every aspect of PEM production from design to development to delivery.

Our engineering expertise and global supply chain capabilities are ready to support multi-Gigawatt water electrolysis installations — immediately.

A white hydrogen-powered vehicle being refueled with hydrogen gas

Industry & Application Expertise

  • Nearly 30 years’ market-leading PEM experience 
  • Millions of square meters of reinforced PEM manufactured, powering a wide variety of applications 
  • Technical experience and application engineering expertise
A lab technician in protective clothing inspects a membrane fabrication machine

Quality Assurance

  • Established high-quality consistency and process stability
  • Greatly reduced risk of random failures, low process yields and quality defects
  • 100% automated quality control in a Class 7 (Class 10,000) clean room
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Production Excellence

  • PEM production capacity to support multi-GW water electrolysis systems
  • Multiple global production lines (US/Japan) ensure supply security and minimize risk
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Vertical Integration

  • Strategic partnerships assuring priority access to critical raw materials
  • Raw material supply chain + R&D facilities vertically integrated into product divisions
  • Enterprise-wide analytical and testing capabilities
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Non-profit Collaboration

Engaging and collaborating with key:

Technical Specifications

GORE PEM M275.80 Technical Data
Physical Characteristics
Thickness1 [µm]80
Tensile strength1 in Machine Direction [MPa]55
Tensile strength1 in Transverse Direction [MPa]55
Proton resistance2 [mOhcm²]57
H2 permeance3 [mA/cm²/MPa]7
Roll Properties
Standard roll widths [mm]320, 400, 580
Length [m]100
OrientationProduct in roll form is shipped with the membrane anode side facing outwards
Quality Assurance
Product visual inspection for defects100% automated
Clean room standard ISO 14644-1Class 7 (Class 10,000)

1 Measurements taken with membrane conditioned to 23 °C, 50% relative humidity (RH).
2 Proton resistance measurements taken by high frequency resistance method. Membrane impedance taken at zero imaginary impedance. 
3 Hydrogen permeance measurements taken by cyclic voltammetry (CV).

Please contact Gore if you require samples.

Resources

Image of PEM for Water Electrolysis data sheet

Data Sheet: GORE® PEM for Water Electrolysis

Data Sheets, 228.35 KB

Whitepaper: Reducing LCOH with advanced Proton Exchange Membranes

Minimizing levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) with advanced Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM) for Water Electrolysis

White Papers

Recent News

Event

Gore’s new PEM for Water Electrolysis at World Hydrogen North America

May 21, 2024 - May 23, 2024

PEM Water Electrolysis (WE) has huge potential to meet green hydrogen production targets in a net-zero economy. However, the required scale-up presents significant challenges, from operation to commercialization.

Event

Gore’s new PEM for Water Electrolysis at World Electrolysis Congress

March 4, 2024 - March 7, 2024

World Electrolysis Congress is the industry's premier platform for thought leadership across the electrolysis landscape and fostering collaborations in the renewable hydrogen sector. Gore’s Alternative Energy and Storage team were in attendance in Düsseldorf to meet hydrogen industry leaders, learn more about pioneering electrolysis innovations and discuss opportunities for collaboration.

Press Release

Hyundai Motor and Kia to Develop Polymer Electrolyte Membrane with Gore for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems

Posted December 20, 2023

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor), Kia Corporation (Kia) and W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) have signed an agreement at the Mabuk Eco-Friendly R&D Center, Korea, to collaborate on the development of advanced polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for hydrogen fuel cell systems.

Event

Gore’s new PEM for Water Electrolysis at Berlin Electrolyser Conference

December 6, 2023 - December 7, 2023

Gore’s Alternative Energy and Storage team will be at Berlin Electrolyser Conference (6-7 December) to showcase Gore’s new PEM for Water Electrolysis.

View all News & Events

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Not for use in food, drug, cosmetic or medical device manufacturing, processing, or packaging operations.