Greg Romney, Cabot (left) handing over the MEA production line to Steen Yde-Andersen, IRD Fuel Cells, LLC (right)

IRD A/S has acquired a MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) manufacturing line from Cabot Corporation. The MEA manufacturing line is situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and will remain in this location, being handled by the newly founded IRD affiliate, IRD Fuel Cells, LLC. The transaction was effectuated on March 5, 2009.

In addition, IRD and Cabot have entered into joint development and supply agreements to collaborate closely on the development of improved MEAs incorporating Cabot’s advanced electrocatalysts, further increasing the performance and quality of IRD’s MEA products.

”In adding to IRD's core competences in MEA and stack development by taking over one of the world's most advanced MEA production lines, we have taken a big step towards making fuel cells a technical as well as a commercial success. Our collaborations with Cabot will allow us to rapidly bring to market improved MEAs with the performance and durability needed by our customers,” says Dr. Joergen S. Lundsgaard, founder and CEO of IRD Fuel Cell Technology.
Fred von Gottberg, Vice President of Cabot’s New Business Segment commented, “With the sale of our world-class MEA production line to IRD Fuel Cells, we are better able to focus our efforts on further improvements to our superior fuel cell electrocatalyst products. We look forward to working with IRD as they launch their MEA products to the fuel cell industry.”

As part of IRD's go-to-market strategy, flow plate and stack production facilities have been established in Svendborg, and, with the acquisition of a functional MEA manufacturing line, IRD is now fully prepared to offer fuel cell stacks and fuel cell components to the industry at high volume and competitive prices.

IRD Fuel Cells, LLC is registered in the US, and will function as an independent company. Mr. Steen Yde-Andersen, formerly R&D Manager at IRD Fuel Cell Technology, has been appointed general manager of the new company. IRD Fuel Cells, LLC will operate a production facility capable of manufacturing all types of MEAs for PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cells, including PEMFC and DMFC (direct methanol) fuel cells. With a yearly capacity of 1 million MEAs, IRD Fuel Cells, LLC will be able to produce any amount of MEAs ranging from prototypes to mass production.