Mortsel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Agfa-Gevaert, led by Vincent Wille, expanded its Mortsel plant to produce 1 million m² of ZIRFON membranes annually, supporting green hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, and Europe’s climate goals by 2050.
As VRT News reported, Agfa-Gevaert, the technology company based in Mortsel, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, has opened a new factory to produce high-tech membranes. Vincent Wille, head of the Digital Print and Chemicals division, said,
“We wanted to explore new ways to use our knowledge in film products,”
Wille said. The membranes are used in electrolysis, a chemical process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen produced is used for green hydrogen.
How is Agfa-Gevaert’s Mortsel plant boosting green Hydrogen with ZIRFON membranes?
Wille said the membranes improve efficiency, allowing facilities to produce 15% to 20% more hydrogen using the same electricity. Industries such as steel production, oil refining, and fertiliser manufacturing can benefit from this technology. Agfa-Gevaert’s membranes set a standard for safety and efficiency in green hydrogen.
“We are proud of a product that contributes to climate change.”
Vincent Wille, Agfa-Gevaert
Agfa-Gevaert has expanded and automated its membrane production line at its Mortsel facility to meet growing market demand. The upgraded line can produce around 1 million square meters of membranes per year. Vincent Wille said the company had available space because its traditional film production had declined over time.
“We are now using that space for membrane production,”
Wille said.
“It is important to maintain production here, and we are doing that with a product that contributes to fighting climate change and achieving climate goals. We are very proud of that.”
The Mortsel plant currently employs about 1,200 people, and the new production line is expected to secure jobs and support future growth. Wille explained that the expansion also helps offset the decline in the company’s film business. He noted that Europe has big ambitions for green hydrogen, but many projects face delays because the legislation is complex and slow.
“Globally, about one-sixth of all CO2 emissions are expected to be addressed with green hydrogen by 2050. That is enormous,”
Wille said.
Agfa-Gevaert was founded in 1867 as a dye manufacturer and has grown to become a leading global imaging and speciality chemical company. In 1964, Agfa merged with Gevaert, a company founded in 1894 in Belgium, and became Agfa-Gevaert. Throughout the years, they expanded their product line and developed ZIRFON membranes for green hydrogen.
These membranes have been in development since 2006 and were launched commercially in 2007 through a collaboration with Belgian research organisation VITO. In 2021, the company introduced the ZIRFON UTP 220 membrane, which offers greater durability and efficiency for hydrogen production.
Recognising the increasing demand for green hydrogen, Agfa announced in 2024 a €50 million investment to build a new production unit at its Mortsel facility to expand ZIRFON membrane output. The expansion is part of Europe’s push for green hydrogen and is expected to start operations by October 2025.
