Agfa’s Mortsel facility is scaling up ZIRFON membrane production, supported by the EU Innovation Fund. Set to open in 2025, it will support 20 GW of energy annually, potentially cutting CO2 emissions by 15 million tons yearly. These membranes enhance alkaline electrolyzers’ performance under renewable energy conditions.
The collaboration focuses on improving membrane efficiency and scalability for green hydrogen. Vincent Wille, President of Digital Printing Solutions & Chemicals at Agfa, said: “We have a rich history of working alongside VITO, having collaborated on the first generation of ZIRFON membranes in 2007, and our joint roadmap with them, combined with our new production capacity, will significantly accelerate the transition to a radically greener world.”
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 hope to set the new gold standard for membrane performance, enabling breakthroughs in cost-efficiency and scalability that will make this revolutionary technology more accessible.”
Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of Flanders, remarked: “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 we are securing our economic future and strengthening Flanders’ position as a global hub for sustainable industry.”
This initiative positions Flanders as a leader in sustainable technology, driving global efforts toward carbon neutrality through advanced green hydrogen solutions.
