IREC has opened the pilot production line "Merce Lab" (Manufacturing Energy Ceramic Devices) in Barcelona. According to the institute, it is the first facility worldwide to fully manufacture SOC cells using 3D printing. The pilot line was funded with around 2 million euros as part of the IPCEI project "Tecnopropia," including funds from the Spanish recovery plan PRTR and the company H2B2.
The facility produces SOC cells on a pre-industrial scale. This technology can be used for both fuel cells and electrolysers, according to the company. SOC cells operate at high temperatures and are considered particularly efficient: According to IREC, they require up to 25 percent less energy for hydrogen production than polymer-based systems.
Costs of 800 euros per kW, 4 euros per kg hydrogen
The production capacity of the pilot line is currently about 2 MW per year. According to IREC, the technology is easily scalable and achieves four times the power density compared to existing commercial solutions, making it particularly interesting for mobility applications. The estimated production costs are around 800 euros per kilowatt, which could reduce the hydrogen price to below 4 euros per kilogram. 3D printing allows for flexible design and low material consumption.
Another advantage: The modules do not require critical raw materials such as cobalt, nickel, or rare earths. This makes the technology not only more sustainable but also independent of geopolitically sensitive supply chains.
Spin-off to commercialize technology
Manufacturing in the Merce Lab is divided into five process steps: raw material preparation, cell production, interconnector manufacturing, component stacking, and final validation. This structure is intended to facilitate technology transfer to industry and enable new business models for the hydrogen economy.
IREC has already produced the first complete SOC modules and is working with industry partners such as H2B2, 3Dceram, AMES, and Viver Clean Tech. Smaller companies like AESA, Nano4Energy, and M-reformer are also involved.
In the long term, IREC plans to establish a spin-off called Oxhyd Energy, which will focus on the commercialization of SOC fuel cells. The goal is to establish the technology as a key element of the energy transition.
Marc Torrell, head of the Merce Lab, says: "This is a disruptive approach to the manufacturing processes and performance of ceramic devices, enabling new applications in maritime or air transport."
In addition to Tecnopropia, the project is supported by other European research initiatives such as CLEANHYPRO, HYP3D, COMECOCO2, and H2SHIFT. These programs aim to develop sustainable hydrogen technologies within the framework of Horizon Europe and other EU funding lines.
