Decarbonizing the energy and transport sectors is a global challenge that requires concrete action to achieve a low-carbon society. The solutions lie in alternatives to fossil fuels and internal combustion engines. One such alternative is hydrogen fuel cells. Their mass use also depends on the use of materials such as platinum, which is found in the fuel cell's catalyst. The catalyst, which looks like black powder, is the key component that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity in the fuel cell, with water as the only by-product. 

The startup company ReCatalyst develops, manufactures and sells next-generation catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells. Their production is based on a patented process that makes better use of expensive and rare platinum. The process partially replaces platinum with more accessible and cheaper metals, and a microscope reveals a uniform distribution of platinum alloy nanoparticles. Even at the current stage of the product, they achieve a reduction of more than 40% in the amount of platinum without compromising the performance potential of the fuel cell.

The company has great potential as the market for hydrogen and hydrogen technologies is growing rapidly. With the market expected to grow and a limited supply of excellent catalysts, ReCatalyst is already successfully testing the technology with some of the biggest names in the industry.

The technology platform also allows expansion into other types of catalysts, such as electrolysis for hydrogen production and other similar materials where there is a need to make better use of precious metals. 

Because of its potential, ReCatalyst has been selected as one of the 5 most promising companies to compete for the Slovenian Start:Up of the Year Award.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF THE BIGGEST STARTUP SPECTACLE THIS SPRING?

Join us on 30 May at 18.00 at the SiTi theatre in Ljubljana.

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Content support for recipients of P2, SK75 or SI-SK financial products under the "de minimis" scheme is co-financed from the Slovene Enterprise Fund and the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. This is implemented on the basis of the Content Support for Funds Recipients (SMEs) Programme in the 2018-2023 period, under the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy 2014-2020.

Anemari Pediček

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