The effective production, storage and use of hydrogen as an environmentally neutral fuel is considered a relevant factor in the process of decarbonization. Bipolar plates, one of the core components of PEM electrolysers and fuel cells, play an important role here. The three companies VON ARDENNE, Weil Technology and ZELTWANGER, which have joined forces as partners in the GERMAN FUEL CELL COOPERATION (GFC), offer a complete line of products for the highly efficient production of metallic bipolar plates. The advantages and possibilities of their system are now on display in the special area of Hydrogen & Fuel Cells at HANNOVER MESSE 2025.

Well positioned for the mobility requirements of tomorrow

According to GFC, the fully coordinated production line plays a pioneering role in the market: By combining their respective areas of expertise, the three German companies VON ARDENNE (Dresden), Weil Technology (Müllheim) and ZELTWANGER (Tübingen) offer manufacturers of fuel cell and electrolysis stacks comprehensive know-how in all sub-processes for the efficient production of metallic bipolar plates. With an annual production capacity of several million bipolar plates, the production line should be able to cover the current demand in the industry.

Customer orientation from planning to production

Weil Technology has developed the Laser Welding Cell (LWC), which precisely joins the thin metal foils at a high welding speed. ZELTWANGER contributes specialized leak testing for the high demands of hydrogen technologies. This includes testing-as-a-service offers for prototypes and preliminary tests, manual test stations, and automated solutions for large-scale production with very short cycle times. VON ARDENNE uses cathode sputtering or magnetron sputtering in a post-coating process in this configuration for the coating system to directly coat both sides of the bipolar plates. In doing so, the GFC partners support their customers in scaling up processes and systems. This ranges from joint development on a laboratory scale, to sample and pilot series production – in plant engineering or as a service – to high-volume production. Plants are already being built for leading companies in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry – an ideal prerequisite for quickly and efficiently reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

From metal strip to fuel cell or electrolyzer stack

The three mechanical engineering companies' many years of expertise cover all process steps. The joint development and careful coordination of the line concept enables smooth transitions at the interfaces between the individual production steps. To this end, the plant processes pre-embossed half-plates made of stainless steel or titanium. These are welded into bipolar plates in a first step, then tested for leaks and finally given a PVD coating to functionalize the surface.

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