Ohmium International Inc. has achieved a major technological milestone by reaching an iridium utilisation rate of 18 gigawatts per ton (GW/ton) for its Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, nearly doubling the global industry target set for 2030. The company has reduced the amount of this precious metal used in its latest Lotus Mark 2 electrolyzer by 50%.
This substantial reduction in reliance on iridium — a critical and costly material in electrolyzer manufacturing — directly enhances the competitiveness of green hydrogen solutions. The modular and high-efficiency design of Ohmium’s PEM systems allows hydrogen to be produced at an energy cost of 48 kilowatt-hours per kilogram (48 kWh/kg), strengthening the economic case for the technology.
Short-term target: doubling efficiency
The company aims to increase iridium utilisation efficiency to 36 GW/ton or less within the next year. Achieving this would move Ohmium closer to its long-term objective of near-zero iridium usage within the next decade. Such progress would mark a turning point for electrolyzer technology, which is heavily dependent on access to critical raw materials.
Strategic edge in the hydrogen market
With raw material costs remaining volatile, the ability to minimise dependence on strategic elements such as iridium has become a key factor in the long-term competitiveness of electrolyzer manufacturers. By exceeding the 2030 benchmark of 10 GW/ton, Ohmium positions itself as a company capable of anticipating supply chain constraints while controlling production costs.
Dr. Markus Tacke, Chief Executive Officer of Ohmium, stated that this breakthrough directly contributes to lowering the cost of green hydrogen: “By reducing our iridium usage and thanks to our high system efficiency, we are making our hydrogen solutions more competitive on a global scale.”
