Johnson Matthey Mops up Bust BEV Outfit Targeting ‘Green’ Hydrogen

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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29th July 2021

UK science company Johnson Matthey has bailed out a failed automotive battery developer hoping to use its expertise to create ‘green’ hydrogen.

The company has taken over the assets and intellectual property of Oxis Energy, based near Oxford, that went into liquidation in May after specializing in lithium-sulfur batteries. JM believes its assets can be adapted for the manufacture of components for green hydrogen production.

The facility could expand JM’s ability to develop, test, and manufacture catalyst coated membranes and advanced materials for electrolysers. The site is expected to produce of tens of thousands of catalyst coated membrane parts per year, enough to equip hundreds of megawatts of electrolyser capacity. In addition, the acquisition of a considerable IP portfolio in next-generation lithium-sulfur and adjacent battery technologies presents opportunities for JM’s battery materials business to advance its development of future battery material technologies.

Robert MacLeod, chief executive, stated: “We are delighted to secure this acquisition. The capability this opportunity delivers will enable our green hydrogen business to accelerate the scale-up of CCM production in line with market demand. The purchase of these assets further demonstrates our commitment to developing a low carbon economy and progressing towards net-zero.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_