In three separate moves recently, Johnson Matthey has expanded its operations and commitment in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies:
- Adding hydrogen testing capabilities to its heavy duty vehicle engine testing operations in Gothenburg.
- An agreement with Bosch teams up the two companies to cooperate in developing membranes for fuel cell stacks.
- Signs on as a founding member of the Global Hydrogen Mobility Alliance, a coalition of more than 30 leading companies involved in transportation and H2 technology.
The new upgraded testing facility is at its current Gothenburg site. Alongside the site’s existing diesel engine test cells for both heavy and light duty vehicles, JM has now expanded its hydrogen internal combustion engine capabilities, scaling up its ability to now test with engines for the first time, building on previous test capability for H2 combustion engine development. The test area is set to be operational in autumn 2025.
It will test the performance of catalysts within the wider engine aftertreatment and control systems, providing key insights in the development of hydrogen mobility solutions. This follows on from JM’s partnership with Cummins, and technology partners PHINIA and Zircotec, who launched Project Brunel in November 2021. The collaboration was successfully concluded in March 2025 by delivering proof points towards significant improvements in H₂ICE engine performance and durability.
The new testing capabilities will include:
- Hydrogen supply & storage area (H2@max 500 bar) with compressor and intermediate storage tank
- Control/safety system for compressor/storage
- Hydrogen flow meter and analyser
- Test cell upgrade – supporting H2 ICE engines up to 600kw (800hp)
- Safety system, multiple gas sensors, new fire detection sensors
- The adaption of conventional exhaust measuring instruments
Tauseef Salma, Chief Technology Officer, Johnson Matthey Clean Air, said: “With a rich heritage in tackling air pollution, Johnson Matthey is continuing to invest in its world-class testing facilities and maintaining our leading role in heavy duty road transportation.
“The upgrade of our testing capabilities in Gothenburg to include H2ICE is a real show of our backing to this technology, as we seek to unleash the potential of hydrogen mobility. Across Europe and elsewhere, we cannot rely on battery electric vehicles alone to solve our challenges. H2ICE is already a ready-to-go technology with hydrogen solutions in road transport maturing, reliable and essential if we are to meet our decarbonisation and climate goals.”
With Bosch, JM has agreed to work collaboratively to develop and produce catalyst coated membranes for use in fuel cell stacks. JM’s membranes will be used in Bosch’s integrated, compact and scalable fuel cell power module for commercial vehicles, designed for longer distances. JM Hydrogen Technologies Chief Executive, Anish Taneja, and Bosch Mobility’s Executive Vice President of Engineering Power Solutions, Beate Grota, marked the agreement at Bosch’s fuel cell centre in Stuttgart-Feuerbach, Germany.
“JM is thrilled to be joining forces, exploring and developing future possibilities to accelerate cleaner mobility and energy generation,” said Taneja. “The fuel cell technology for mobile applications is technologically ready for widespread use. Our partnership aims to further increase the performance and efficiency of the fuel cell stacks, added Grota.
In the third move, JM recently signed up as a founding member of the Global Hydrogen Mobility Alliance – a coalition of more than 30 major companies across the automotive, energy and technology sectors, aiming to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell solutions in Europe’s transport sector. The alliance, which includes companies like BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, Air Liquide, and Linde, is urging EU policymakers to prioritize hydrogen mobility as a key component of their decarbonization and industrial strategies.
