Meet the Partners

Meet the Partners

VTT

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner for companies and society, and one of the leading technical research organisations in Europe. VTT’s research areas focus on applied research and technology development, collaborating with the public and private sectors, working as a bridge in the research gap between universities and private companies.

Role in the project

VTT is the project coordinator of Sea4Volt, managing and following all aspects of the project to ensure its’ timely and effective implementation. VTT also carries out materials-based modelling, stack prototype testing, and techno-economic and environmental feasibility. As the project coordinator, VTT actively participates in project dissemination, exploitation, and communication.

Fraunhofer IFAM

Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden develops innovative powder metallurgical materials and technologies focusing on energy, mobility, and medical sectors. With an emphasis on hydrogen technology and additive manufacturing, it covers the full process chain – from research to industrial application – supported by an interdisciplinary team and accredited testing laboratory

Role in the project

Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden is leading WP3 on the development of suitable catalyst, PTLs and coatings. Based on our experience in sea water electrolysis, we aim to develop PGM-free cathode catalysts, study impurity effects on cell components through extensive testing, and provide critical support to partners in optimizing overall cell design and performance.

CIDAUT

The CIDAUT Foundation (Foundation for Transport and Energy Research and Development), based in the Boecillo Technology Park (Valladolid, Spain), is a non-profit research center with over three decades of experience in applied R&D for energy, transport, and advanced materials. The foundation operates more than 23,000 m² of facilities equipped with laboratories and pilot plants, supported by around 200 researchers and engineers, and a strong network of technological spin-offs.

Role in the project

CIDAUT focuses on the design, optimization, and manufacturing of bipolar plates and single-cell design architecture for a laboratory-scale anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer capable of processing seawater directly. This includes defining the flow field geometry, evaluating materials and coatings for corrosion resistance, and iteratively improving the single-cell design through simulations and experimental validation.
In addition, CIDAUT leads Work Package 8, overseeing the techno-economic and life-cycle assessment of the full electrolyzer stack, evaluating environmental impacts, process efficiency, and opportunities for brine valorization.

Aalto University

At Aalto University, science and art meet technology and business as high-quality research, art, education and entrepreneurship are promoted hand in hand. In Finland, Aalto is the largest engineering university, and the highest ranked university (QS World University Rankings 2024). Aalto has over 11000 students and 4000 employees of whom some 400 are professors. Our main campus is located in Espoo, capital area of Finland.

Role in the project

Aalto is leading WP5 which investigates poisoning and ageing of electrodes. We aim to develop cathode catalysts which can reliably generate hydrogen in harsh seawater environment. Our synthesis and characterization efforts are complemented by state-of-the-art atomistic modeling techniques based on machine learning and quantum mechanics, to gain fundamental insight on the functioning of the novel electrocatalyst, particularly interplay between the nanoporous protective shell and species in the electrolyte.

Politechnika Gdańska

Gdańsk Tech is a leading Polish technical university situated in northern Poland, specializing in engineering, electronics, telecommunications, informatics, and advanced materials. Recognized nationally and internationally, it actively supports regional innovation through strong collaboration with industry and research institutions. Gdańsk Tech significantly contributes to Poland’s technological development, particularly in energy technologies, hydrogen systems, sustainable infrastructure, digital innovation, and maritime engineering.

Role in the project

Gdańsk Tech is leader of WP4 for upscaling of the experimental electrodes for hydrogen and oxygen evolution. Application of novel electrodes in commercial stacks platforms of the project partners will lead to improved performance surpassing current state of theart. Gdańsk Tech will be also active in WP3 in developing of impurity tolerant OER electrode based on facile electrodeposition and studies of degradation of electrodes in impurities containing electrolytes, including experimental as well as modelling activities.

Stargate Hydrogen

Stargate Hydrogen was founded to make green hydrogen affordable for hard-to-decarbonise industries like steel and fertilisers. Stargate Hydrogen aims to improve electrolyser efficiency using novel ceramic catalysts and patented design, and is scaling its production capacity to serve customers, such as Fortum, Utilitas, ABB, and others across Europe, Türkiye and India.

Role in the project

Stargate will lead the design and validation of a short-stack prototype to support the development of a novel low-temperature AEM electrolyser concept. This includes development and assessment a baseline stack, testing safe, durable operating conditions using selected seawater feedstocks to identify and define the most ideal concept.

HYDROLYTE

HYDROLITE Ltd. is a start-up company focusing on novel hydrogen technologies for energy storage and conversion based on its proprietary, world-leading alkaline exchange membrane (AEM) electrode and stack technology. Featuring high-efficiency power-to-hydrogen (Electrolyzer) and hydrogen-to-power (Fuel Cell) devices, HYDROLITE’s disruptive AEM technology reduces costs and delivers high performance
and versatility.

Role in the project

HYDROLITE main role will be within WP6, leading the design and validation of single cell components with different sea water feeds and concentrations. HYDROLITE will also contribute to WP3-WP8,
focusing on MEA & membrane development. HYDROLITE will design, assemble and conduct experiments in 60cm2 cell configuration as a baseline for 100cm2 stack.

F6S

F6S is a leading global founder and startup network that helps public sector entities around the world to promote, communicate and disseminate technical and research projects. F6S stands for F-ounder-S. Our mission is to help founders and startups grow to solve the world’s pressing social, economic, environmental, sustainability and innovation problems. In addition to F6S’ work with governmental entities, we also work with corporates, investors, research institutions, programs, universities and others in the global startup ecosystem. F6S tools deliver company growth through grants, partnerships, funding, investment, pilot contracts, partnerships, jobs & talent recruitment, company services and more.

Role in the project

F6S is the Work Package leader for communication, dissemination and exploitation activities.