During the panel discussion, Ellinor Ehrnberg emphasized how the growing demand for green hydrogen is constrained by the very limited supply of iridium, a rare and extremely expensive metal that is crucial for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, the leading technology for the production of completely fossil-free hydrogen.

"At the very heart of a PEM electrolyzer lies iridium - and there is currently no substitute. Only 7-9 tons are mined globally each year, and production cannot be increased. Unless we drastically reduce the amount used in hydrogen production, the iridium shortage will stop the scale-up of green hydrogen before it even starts," said Ellinor Ehrnberg, President of Smoltek Hydrogen.

Ellinor's message was received very positively by both industry colleagues and potential partners, further strengthening Smoltek Hydrogen's position as a key innovator addressing one of the hydrogen industry's biggest challenges - the iridium problem.

Smoltek's breakthrough: 95% less lridium, same performance
Smoltek Hydrogen's proprietary Porous Transport Electrode (PTE) technology provides an innovative and scalable solution to the iridium problem. By using nanostructured carbon fibers that increase the active surface area by up to 30 times, iridium can be applied with extreme precision at the atomic level.

This innovation allows Smoltek to reduce the amount of iridium to just 0.1 mg per cm² - a 95% reduction compared to the current industry standard - while maintaining durability and performance. The technology also enables a more compact electrolyzer design, reducing both stack size and system cost. As a result, Smoltek's PTE technology can save thousands of euros per square meter of stack area and pave the way for smaller, more cost-effective electrolyzers. This represents a crucial step towards making green hydrogen truly scalable.

This innovation allows the company to reduce iridium loading to just 0.1 mg per cm² - a 95% reduction compared to today's industry standard - while maintaining durability and performance. The technology also enables a more compact electrolyzer design, reducing both stack size and system cost. This allows for Smoltek's PTE technology to save thousands of euros per square meter of stack area and enables smaller, more cost-efficient electrolyzers. This is a way of making green hydrogen truly scalable.

But groundbreaking technology from a small, innovative company cannot drive the transition to affordable fossil-free energy without collaboration with industry leaders. Smoltek Hydrogen's approach is aligned with the hydrogen industry's goal of combining technical efficiency with material circulation. In addition to minimizing iridium consumption, Smoltek also advocates recycling and reuse to ensure long-term iridium supply and cost stability for electrolyzers.

Smoltek Hydrogen currently collaborates with several key industry partners, including Heareus Precious Metals, AGC, Sparknano and Impact Coatings, as well as a number of undisclosed global technology leaders. These collaborations help take the company's electrode technology for hydrogen applications from prototype development to industrial manufacturing.

On Smoltek's website there is a longer summary of Ellinor Ehrnberg's speech: "Making every atom count in the race for scalable green hydrogen".

About Smoltek Hydrogen 
Smoltek Hydrogen, a subsidiary of Smoltek Nanotech Holding AB, develops advanced nanomaterial-based cell components for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. Its Porous Transport Electrode (PTE) enables a drastic reduction in iridium usage, making large-scale, fossil-free hydrogen production economically viable. The company's technology supports the rapid scale-up of green hydrogen as a cornerstone of the global energy transition - helping industries reduce carbon emissions while securing access to sustainable, high-efficiency electrolysis solutions.