Belgian Duo Joins Forces to Advance Green Hydrogen Technology
Mortsel, Belgium – July 14, 2025 – In a bold move to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy, Belgian technology leader Agfa and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) have formalized a long-term collaboration aimed at pioneering innovations in green hydrogen technology. The partnership focuses on enhancing advanced membranes critical to alkaline water electrolysis, a key process in producing green hydrogen.
Strengthening a Proven Partnership
The cooperation agreement was signed on July 8, 2025, during a ceremony at Agfa’s facility in Mortsel, Belgium. This site is rapidly increasing its production capacity for the company’s proprietary ZIRFON membrane technology. Developed initially through a joint effort starting in 2007, ZIRFON membranes serve as separators in alkaline electrolyzers, devices that use electricity—preferably from renewable sources—to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Agfa’s new production facility, slated for completion later this year with support from the European Union’s Innovation Fund, is designed to enable production capacity supporting up to 20 gigawatts (GW) of energy annually. This expansion could potentially help avoid approximately 15 million tons of CO2 emissions each year, representing a substantial contribution to climate change mitigation efforts.
Innovation at the Core of Green Hydrogen Production
ZIRFON membranes are notable for maintaining performance under dynamic operating conditions typical when powered by intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Improving the durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of these membranes is essential to making green hydrogen more competitive and scalable.
Vincent Wille, President of Digital Printing Solutions & Chemicals at Agfa, commented on the renewed partnership:
“We have a rich history of working alongside VITO, having collaborated on the first generation of ZIRFON membranes in 2007. Our joint roadmap, combined with our new production capacity, will significantly accelerate the transition to a radically greener world.”
Echoing this optimism, Inge Neven, CEO of VITO, stated:
“We are proud to continue this collaboration with Agfa. Together, our two organizations combine scientific expertise and industrial knowledge to deliver concrete solutions for a carbon-neutral future. Through this partnership, we aim to set the new gold standard for membrane performance, enabling breakthroughs in cost-efficiency and scalability that will make this revolutionary technology more accessible.”
Regional and European Green Energy Ambitions Supported
The initiative also received recognition from the regional government. Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of Flanders, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership:
“This partnership between AGFA and VITO represents the very best of Flemish innovation: long-term vision, scientific excellence, and industrial ambition. By anchoring this green hydrogen technology in Mortsel, we are not only advancing Europe’s climate goals but also securing our economic future and strengthening Flanders’ position as a global hub for sustainable industry.”
Looking Ahead
As the world intensifies efforts to reduce carbon emissions, green hydrogen is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors, including heavy industry and long-haul transport. The collaboration between Agfa and VITO exemplifies how scientific innovation combined with industrial scale-up can help deliver viable, scalable clean energy solutions.
The upgraded production capacity of ZIRFON membranes and ongoing joint research will likely accelerate advancements in alkaline electrolyzers, paving the way for greener, more efficient hydrogen production methods. This partnership not only strengthens Belgium’s position in the global clean energy landscape but also reinforces the European Union’s strategic commitment to climate neutrality.
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